Therese E. Gauthier

Therese E. Gauthier, 93, passed away Friday, February 19, after a brief period of declining health. Her granddaughters, Chelsea and Meaghan, were by her side during her final hours, watching one final game of Wheel of Fortune together.

She was the widow of the late Alfred L. Gauthier (dec.1990), her soulmate, with whom she shared forty all-too-brief years of marriage. Daughter of the late Antoine J. and Emelia (Pelletier) Bertrand, she was a lifelong resident of New Bedford.

A graduate of New Bedford Vocational High School, Therese worked for a number of years at the Acushnet Company, but her work life did not define her. Her main career was caring for and expressing love towards all those she held dear.

Therese was born into a large family and throughout her life, her greatest pleasure was to be surrounded by family. Her warm smile and hospitality extended to friends, neighbors and anyone who would pass through the doors of her loving home.

During her ninety-three years, she endured much adversity, illness and loss, and faced each with grace and an indomitable spirit. She also knew great joy, and for the past sixteen months the light of her life was her great-grandson, Mason (AKA “Little Guy”).

Therese was always open to new experiences and learning new skills. She learned sign language in order to communicate with her foster daughter, obtained her driver’s license at the age of sixty, and participated in numerous classes to learn new hobbies. Along with impressive needlework skills, through these classes she also gained a number of lasting friendships.

A lifelong communicant of St. Anthony of Padua Church, she found great strength and solace through her faith. Therese was proud to support her parish as a Bingo worker, Eucharistic Minister, bake sale contributor and maker and seller of crafts, especially during the annual bazaar. She was a recipient of the Marian Award and enjoyed being a part of the St. Anthony’s Seniors group.

Therese looked forward to weekly lunch outings with her dear sisters-in law, Laura Bertrand, Claire Cyr and Gerri Bertrand, as well as her recently deceased sister, Rita St. Laurent, and recently deceased sister-in-law, Jackie Bertrand. While their luncheons took them to various local restaurants, she was happiest at her best-loved spot, Pa Raffa’s.

Therese was predeceased by her treasured daughter Elaine G. Motta, cherished grandson Owen J. Motta, brothers Roland, Roger, Robert, Raymond, Antoine and Louis Bertrand, and her sister Rita St. Laurent.

She is survived by her sisters, Sr. Lucille Bertrand SSJ. of Framingham, and Pauline Clark of New Hartford, NY, her son, Alfred M. Gauthier and his wife Sheila M. Dorgan of Mattapoisett, her daughter Suzanne T. Gauthier of Quincy, her daughter Celeste C. Gauthier and her husband David P. Touchette of Mendon, her foster daughter Irene Mescall of Pembroke, her son-in-law David W. Motta of New Bedford, her beloved granddaughters Chelsea Fonseca and her husband Zachary Fonseca of New Bedford, Meaghan E. Doucette and her husband Gregory T. Doucette of Woburn and her great-grandson Mason P. Doucette.

Harry and Dorothy Touchette also held a special place in her heart.

She also leaves behind her sisters-in-law, Irene Bertrand of CT and Joan Bertrand of IA.

The family would like to express their profound gratitude to the doctors, nurses and other

St. Luke’s staff who were entrusted with Therese’s care for their exceptional kindness and accommodations shown to the family.

In lieu of flowers, please consider performing an act of kindness for a neighbor.

You may also honor her memory by making a donation to St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Ave, New Bedford, MA 02746.

Her Funeral Mass will be held on Wednesday, February 24, 2021 at 10 a.m. in St. Anthony of Padua Church, 1359 Acushnet Ave., New Bedford followed by burial in Pine Grove Cemetery. You must wear a mask and please practice social distancing.

For online tributes, please visit: www.rock-funeralhome.com