Thecla “Thelma” Irene (Grena) Verda, 83, of Andover, MA died Sunday, January 6, 2008, at the Prescott House Nursing Home in North Andover.
Thelma was born on May 25, 1924, in Amesbury and was the daughter of the late Emile and Caroline J. (Jaros) Grena (Grynasiewski).
She grew up in Amesbury and was a graduate of Amesbury High School, class of 1942 and received her Seamstress Certificate in 1950.
Thelma enjoyed cooking and having family and friends over for cookouts and birthday celebrations and on the holidays, prepared Polish meals. She was a fine seamstress and enjoyed altering clothing for herself and her daughters. She loved to listen to the Polka station on the weekends and following the polka bands whether on a Saturday night or traveling with them. She loved to not only do the Polka, but just loved to dance. She was a member of the CAAF and the Andover Senior Center. She also enjoyed going on the Andover Department of Community Service trips to Foxwoods, Hampton Beach and many others.
Before she was married, she worked as a machine operator in the Amesbury Mills. She also worked at the Internal Revenue Service in Andover for 25 years before retiring in 1984.
The widow of Edwin John Verda, she is survived by her fiancée, Gerard “Gerry” Ricard of Lowell, daughters; Cynthia wife of Ron Abraham of Andover, Karen wife of John McQuade of Amesbury, Carol wife of Mark Reilly of Andover and Leslie wife of William Ferris of Andover, grandchildren; Andrea and Kelly Reilly of Sandown, New Hampshire, Shaunalee, Erin and Breann McQuade of Amesbury and Shelby and Michael Ferris of Andover, step-grandchildren; Brenda Soucy of Methuen and William Abraham of Salem, New Hampshire, great-grandson; Reilly Bibeau and step great-grandchildren; BJ and Christopher Abraham of Salem, New Hampshire and Jordan and Matthew Soucy of Methuen. She was also the sister of Francis Batchelder of Kensington, New Hampshire, Alice Huminick of Haverhill, Mary Charest of Sandown, New Hampshire, Helen Lannan of Kensington, New Hampshire and the late Jane Piper, Sally Galary and Joseph Grena. Thelma is also survived by many nieces and nephews. Funeral services were private.
In lieu of flowers, donations in Thelma’s memory may be made to the Andover Senior Center, 36 Bartlet Street, Andover, MA 01810. For additional information, please www.burkemagliozzi.com.