Dorothy Daniels Therriault

1919 - 2013

Dorothy Daniels Therriault, 94, beloved wife of the late Lionel Therriault for 52 years passed peacefully on Thanksgiving morning, November 28, 2013. She was lovingly cared for by her daughters Katherine Therriault and Mary Uman in her home where she lived with Katherine for the past 14 years. Born on February 6, 1919, to the late John H. and Mary (Fallon) Daniels, she spent many happy years growing up on the family farm (Lindenwood Dairy) in Usquepaugh, Rhode Island. Dorothy was one of the first women in Rhode Island to obtain a pasteurization license. She then attended Bryant College on a 4H scholarship. Dorothy met her future husband, Lionel, while making deliveries for the dairy when Lionel and his brothers came down from Maine to clear the debris left by the Great Hurricane of 1938. Dorothy and Lionel were married on December 30, 1944, in Brownwood, TX, where Lionel was stationed at the U.S. Army Camp Bowie before he was shipped to the Pacific during World War II. Dorothy and Lionel settled in Connecticut where they raised their eight children. Dorothy returned to work as a secretary at the UCONN Health Center and later retired from there. Dorothy was a communicant of St. Mary Star of the Sea Church since 1957, and had served as president of the Women's Guild. Her many talents included gardening, baking, canning, fishing, camping, sewing and knitting. After retiring, she and Lionel shared a love for quilting, both winning many awards. Dorothy is survived by her seven children and their spouses, Dorothy and Dave Japonis of Bristol, Katherine Therriault of Bristol, Frances and Jay McCaffrey of Burlington, Marilyn and Maurice Howard of New Britain; Mary T. Uman of Canton, Linda Therriault and Sal Vene of Enfield; and Charles and Peggy Therriault of Southport; her grandchildren Dave and Roni Japonis, Diana and Geoffrey Holmes, Daniel and Geri Japonis, Dennis and Melissa Japonis, Amanda McCaffrey, Andrew McCaffrey, John Uman, Daniel Uman, Lauren Therriault and Hillary Therriault; and eight great-grandchildren, Khalen and Kamden Japonis, Alicia and Garret Holmes, Paige and Taylor and Ashley and Brandon; her sisters Geraldine Harrington of Farmington, and Madeline Brown of North Kingstown, RI, and her sister-in-law Rita Theriault of Bristol, and numerous nieces and nephews. Dorothy was predeceased by her daughter Deborah, her brother John Daniels, and her sister Mary Fuesz. The family would like to extend a special thanks to her creative and devoted caregivers Shirline, Cheryl, Martine, Sue, and Donna that allowed her to remain living at home. They are also thankful for the exceptionally caring staff of McLean Hospice, especially Linda, Janet, Cindy and Urzula. Family and friends may call at The Ahern Funeral Home, 111 Main Street, Rt. 4, Unionville, on December 1, 2013, from 4-7 pm. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Monday December 2, 2013, at 10:00 am at St. Mary Star of the Sea Church,145 Main Street, Unionville, CT. Burial will follow in St. Mary's Cemetery, Huckleberry Hill Road, Avon. Memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer's Association Connecticut, 2075 Silas Deane Highway, Suite 100, Rocky Hill CT 06067 or McLean Hospice, 75 Great Pond Road, Simsbury, CT 06070. To send online condolences to the family, please visit www.ahernfuneralhome.com