Therese R. Forest

Therese R. (Marquis) Forest, a lifelong Dracut resident and beloved wife of the late Andre R. Forest passed away at the Lowell General Hospital on February 8, 2025 with her family by her side. She was 97.

Born in Dracut on January 4, 1928, she was one of thirteen children and the youngest child of the late Joseph and Ozelina (Paquin) Marquis. Therese was a lifelong resident and resided in the house she was born in for most of her life.

 She and Andre met at piano lessons and she played throughout her life, but she only played the black keys. Therese was mainly a homemaker often singing throughout the house. When her children were grown she worked at the former Pollard's Bridal Shop and St. Joseph Regional High School cafeteria to keep busy. Both jobs she truly enjoyed. She and Andre looked forward to traveling. She loved playing games and cards, especially with her family. Her house was central for all holiday gatherings and she made sure it was spotless at all times. Her children often recall how she made sure everything was ironed. Therese always put her family first and worried about all of them. She was a communicant of the former Ste. Jeanne d'Arc Parish and most recently the Parish of St. Rita.

Survivors include her four children and their spouses, Normand and Helene Forest of Lowell, Robert and Judi Forest of Port Charlotte, FL, Paul and Linda Forest of Nashua, NH, Paulette and Steve Geoffroy of Dracut; eight grandchildren, Virginia Dufault and her husband Tom, Joanne Forsythe and her husband Ryan, Keith Forest, Adam Forest, Nancy Gould and her husband Jonathan, Alison Mumford and her husband Andrew, Elizabeth Geoffroy and her husband Andrew Baber, Scott Geoffroy; ten great grandchildren, Autumn and Cameron Dufault, Carson, Mason and Reagan Forsythe, Geoffrey and Nora Mumford, Natalie and Melanie Gould, and Ellie Baber; dear friend Eileen Paquin who was her first responder for every medical event; and several nieces and nephews. Therese was also the grandmother of the late Katrina Nelson and sister of the late Emile, Leo, Alfred and Herve Marquis, Eva Lemieux, Loretta Cloutier, Claire Lussier, Jeannette Tessier, Cecile Martel, Lillian Arpin, Simone April, and Doris Ward.

Relatives and friends are invited to Therese's Life Celebration in the McKenna-Ouellette Funeral Home, 327 Hildreth Street from 4 until 8 PM on Monday. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:00 AM in St. Rita Church, 158 Mammoth Road. Burial will follow in St. Joseph Cemetery. Donations in her memory may be made to CatholicTV, PO Box 9196, Watertown, MA 02471 or online at https://www.catholictv.org/donate.html