Laconia---Theresa Anne (Routhier) Guay, 72, of Laconia, died May 11, 2014 at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston, Mass., after a period of failing health.
Born in Laconia July 10, 1941, the daughter of Edgar M. and Anna (Contois) Routhier, Theresa attended Sacred Heart Catholic School, graduating in 1959. Later, she earned a secretarial certificate at Lakes Region Community College.
She worked most of her life, holding several factory positions at Laconia Shoe Co. and Teco Corp.; she worked also at the Laconia State School and, finally, as a customer service rep. at Madeira USA Ltd. in Laconia, before retiring in 2001.
Theresa married Dennis M. Guay on Nov. 12, 1966, and they raised three children before divorcing amicably in 1988.
Theresa loved her children and grandchildren and was always there to listen, comfort, counsel and console. She also loved to laugh and to discuss anything and everything – from world news to the latest book she had read.
An avid reader all her life, she continued to enjoy books in audio form after diabetic neuropathy robbed her of her sight. Though she suffered from several health complications during the last years of her life, she faced them with courage and optimism, enjoying what pleasures she could and spending time with her family.
In addition to her parents and her former husband, Theresa was predeceased by her half-brother, Romeo Routhier; her half-sister, Phoebe Leguex; a great-nephew, Darren Cyr, and her best friend, Denise Therrien,
Survivors include her children, Katherine Walch, Victoria Guay and Stephen Guay, all of Laconia; her grandchildren, Diana Walch and Rachael McCarthy, both of Laconia, and Arianna Guay Campbell, of Bristol and several nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind her good friend, David Nadeau.
Calling hours will be held on Thursday, June 5, 2014 from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Carriage House of the Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home, 164 Pleasant St., Laconia, N.H.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Friday, June 6, 2014 at 10 a.m. at St. Andre Bessette Parish-Sacred Heart Church, 291Union Ave., Laconia, N.H.
Interment will follow in the family lot at St. Lambert Cemetery, Province Street, Laconia, N.H.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 10 Speen Street, Second Floor, Framingham, MA 01701 ( www.diabetes.org) or to the New Hampshire Association for the Blind, 25 Walker Street, Concord, NH 03301 (www.sightcenter.org)
Wilkinson-Beane-Simoneau-Paquette Funeral Home & Cremation Services, 164 Pleasant Street, Laconia, N.H.is assisting the family with the arrangements. For more information and to view an online memorial go to www.wilkinsonbeane.com.