Theresa S. Chemaly
Loving wife, mother, grandmother, affectionately known as “Sitto”
TEWKSBURY - Theresa S. (Saffy) Chemaly, 90, a well known member of the Tewksbury community, died Saturday morning, August 7, at High Pointe House in Haverhill. She was the widow of the late Henry Chemaly who passed away in 2007 after 59 years of marriage.
Mrs. Chemaly was born in Worcester, MA on September 17, 1930 and was a daughter of the late Harry Saffy and the late Catherine (Wakeen) Saffy. She was raised and educated in the Worcester area and was a graduate of St. Stephens High School in Worcester.
She worked as a bookkeeper, starting with her family business, Nu-Life Upholstery in 1963, and over the years for HP Hood and Sons in Lowell, Tom Fardy, CPA in Andover, and up until just a few months ago for L.J. DiPalma in Tewsbury. She will always be remembered as a wonderful cook, her specialty being Lebanese food. Her Father's Day parties will never be forgotten. Held annually for her husband, Henry, and all the other fathers in the family, this tradition is a part of her legacy. She also loved to play poker and dominos, especially Texas Hold ‘em and Mexican Train. At any table, she was fondly known as “the silent assassin” for her legendary poker face by all who dared to play, especially her cherished friends and neighbors at Emerald Court. She also loved puzzles and was considered a cruciverbalist.
She is survived by her three sons, Edward M. Chemaly of New York City, John P. Chemaly and his wife, Linda (Krasnecki) Chemaly of Chelmsford, Stephen R. Chemaly and his wife, Debbie (Libby) Chemaly of Chelmsford, her sisters, Mary Kowaleski of Shrewsbury, Shirley Saffy and Joan Normann, both of Fort Lauderdale, FL and Helen Michaels of Phoenix,Az. She is also survived by her beloved grandchildren, Craig Chemaly and his wife Dr. Mariana Chemaly of Tyngsboro, Jeff Chemaly and his wife Erin of Nashua, Lauren (Hannaford) Farrow and her husband Antony of Concord, Alexa (Chemaly) Aboshar of Merrimack, NH, Jaime (Chemaly) Sullivan and her husband Sean of Billerica. She also leaves behind her 8 dear great grandchildren, Maisie, Sara, Soraya, Brayden, Cameron, Rowen, Kensie and Natalie. She is also survived by many nieces, nephews, and a very large close circle of friends.
In addition to her husband, Henry, she was also predeceased by her infant son, Jimmy Chemaly.
Due to the ongoing Covid-19 Pandamic, her funeral Mass and burial have taken place privately. In lieu of flowers please consider sending a memorial donation in her name to High Pointe House, 360 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830. Arrangements by Tewksbury Funeral Home, 1 Dewey Street Tewksbury, MA 01876 / 978-851-2061. Please visit www.tewksburyfuneralhome.com to send the family your condolences at any time.