Theresa A. Croteau

Mrs. Theresa A. (Wells) Croteau, 84, of 75 Sprague St., died peacefully at home surrounded by love on Friday, Jan. 26th. Terry was born in New Britain, CT, though she lived in West Springfield all of her life. She was a communicant of St. Louis de France Church and later, St. Frances Xavier Cabrini Parish (Immaculate Conception), West Springfield. Theresa retired after working for the Town of West Springfield as a crossing guard, and previously as a bus monitor for LPVEC. Prior to working for the town, her long time career was in the laundry room at Mercy Hospital, where she shared many good times and good laughs and truly valued the friends she made while working there. Above all, Terry sincerely loved all of her family and friends, always calling to check in on them and visiting whenever she was able. She is survived by her husband, the love of her life for nearly 66 years, George A. Croteau Jr, their three children and their spouses, Gary & Cheryl Croteau; Larry & Elizabeth Croteau (and her sister Donna); Sherry & Wayne Dearden; and a step-daughter, Nadine (Croteau) & her spouse Jim Conder (and their family of 21); Theresa is also survived by 6 grandchildren and their spouses (Jason & Lindsay Croteau, Melanie and Junie Perez, Jamielee Croteau & Steve Clark, Benjamin Croteau, David & Michelle Dearden and William Dearden; and 8 great grandchildren (Ashleigh Croteau of Agawam, Brianna, Devlin and Charleigh Croteau; Manny Perez;  Drew & Jax Dearden and  Gianna Dearden, and her first godson Ed Metivier; As well as many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews, and many dear friends, especially Connie Senez and Millie Johnson. Terry also held a special place in her heart for Jason’s first wife Catherine Hanlon and her children Joe and Kody. Terry is predeceased by her parents, Nelson H & Gertrude (Mousaw) Wells as well as 11 siblings (Herbert, Anna, Ernest, Doris, and Alice as well as the 6 who died at birth or shortly thereafter). She is also predeceased by her son Gary’s first wife Deborah Ann (Passon) Croteau, whom Theresa adored and missed dearly. Terry loved visiting with other folks from town, at church and at the West Springfield Senior Center, as she loved to play bingo. Terry also loved getting her hair and nails done at Lorelei’s and later by Anne & Debron at Debron’s Salon in West Springfield (as well as her Avon fix). She always thought back to the annual family trips to Crystal Lake in Ellington, CT where family and friends would gather throughout those two weeks each summer. She also loved the times she spent watching her favorite tv shows with the kids, grandkids and great grandkids and they loved it just as much too. A special thank you to Terry’s PCAs: Beth, Carey, Jenna, Kathy, Lena, and Lisa. Everyone will miss her constant love and care, feisty nature, random singing and laughter. Just know, that every time you think to pick up the phone to call her, that’ll be a sign from her that she never left and is everywhere that we carry her in our hearts. She’ll be “…down to get cha in a wheelbarrow honey. You better be ready about a half past 8. A do do do. Don’t be late…” The funeral will be held at the West Springfield Curran-Jones Funeral Home Friday, Feb. 2, at 11:30am followed by burial in the Massachusetts Veteran’s Memorial Cemetery.  Visiting hours will be held Thursday, Feb. 1 from 4:00 – 7:00pm.  Although she loved flowers and would be the first one to order a delivery from Durocher Florist on Union Street in West Springfield, the family prefers that donations be made to Greater Springfield Senior Services, 66 Industry Ave Suite 9, Springfield Ma 01104 (whose help and services are the main reason we were able to keep her home) OR the West Springfield Council on Aging, 128 Park St, West Springfield, MA 01089, so that other seniors (who maybe aren’t as fortunate to have such a loving and supportive family as Terry) may be supported instead.