Ann Rockwell Theriault

Ann Rockwell Theriault, age 82, of Webster, Massachusetts, passed away peacefully surrounded by her devoted family on Sunday, May 18, 2025, at UMass Memorial Hospital in Worcester, Massachusetts. After a long and valiant fight with COPD, her body was no longer able to continue, but her kind and joyful spirit will forever live on.

Born and raised in Akron, Ohio, Ann was the daughter of the late Robert Hawthorne "Hawkey" Rockwell and Vera Merita (Robertson) Rockwell. She was also preceded in death by her brother, Robert William Rockwell.

Ann graduated from Tallmadge High School in 1961, then attended Kent State University. She met Bob, of Barberton, Ohio, at a summertime dance bar in the Portage Lakes area of Ohio. The two eloped in Michigan on January 4, 1963, much to the surprise - and delight - of both families.

Once Bob graduated from Ohio State in 1965, the young couple moved to Middletown, Ohio, where they built a life, making lasting friendships and raising their 3 daughters. Ann enjoyed working as an office manager and medical transcriptionist at local medical offices. In 1992, Ann and Bob moved to Webster, Massachusetts, where Ann continued her medical office support career, retiring in 2008.

Ann enjoyed boating, decorating and found much beauty in the world, especially in others, but also in flowers, the beach, shells, music and poetry. She was captivated by words and their meaning, spending free time reading, writing and doing countless crosswords. Though she loved traveling to new places, nothing beat living on Webster Lake and spending time in Aruba. But Ann's greatest joy was the time she shared with friends and loved ones. She will be remembered for innumerable things, especially her strength and selflessness, as well as the compassion and acceptance that she showed everyone she met.

Ann is survived by her loving husband of 62 years, Robert (Bob) Joseph Theriault; her three daughters who were lucky to call her "Mom", Charmé (Todd) Smith of Phoenix, Arizona, Alicia (Bryan) Mills of Chelmsford, Massachusetts, and Sutton (Peter) Allain of Putnam, Connecticut; 6 grandchildren who lovingly called her "GrandAnn", Mallory and Mitchell Smith, Carter and Delaney Mills, Tanner Chausse, and Mia Allain; and great-grandson, Landon Chausse. Ann also leaves behind several cousins, a niece and nephew, and many dear friends, including best friends Judy Somerfield of Middletown, Ohio, and Patty Smith of Webster, Massachusetts.

The family will hold a private service to spread her ashes in the ocean as was her wish, but welcome comments or favorite memories of Ann in the Legacy Guest Book. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Ann's memory to the COPD Foundation, PO Box 160112, Miami, FL 33116, www.copdfoundation.org.

In the spirit of Ann, please do something nice for someone today, and think of her when you hear the song "Celebration" by Kool and the Gang, as it always made her happy.