Mary Theresa Dezso

Storrs - Mary Theresa (Salembier) Bouley Dezso, 75, of Storrs passed peacefully to eternal rest on Wednesday, May 9, 2007.

She was born in Woonsocket, R.I., the daughter of Alphonse and Angela Salembier and moved to the Storrs-Mansfield area in 1952. Terry started her higher education career while raising nine children and went on to finish her B.S., M.A., and PhD, ABD.

Terry was an emeritus faculty member at Three Rivers Community College where she developed their first ever program in early childhood education. More recently Terry put her passion of the Montessori teaching philosophy into the successful development of one of the only Montessori Teacher Institutes in New England. Prior to her tenure at Three Rivers Community College Terry taught at both the University of Connecticut and Eastern Connecticut State University. She was a long-time president of both the Northeast Association for the Education of Young Children and Connecticut Association for the Education of Young Children as well as an accreditation commissioner for the National Association for the Education of Young Children. Terry was a renowned specialist in early childhood education and received numerous awards and recognitions for her work. Most importantly she has made a loving and lasting difference in the lives of hundreds of students and children including her 14 grandchildren and three great-grandchildren. Terry's patient and enduring love for children manifested itself in countless ways.

In addition to her parents, Terry was predeceased by her former husband, Henry Bouley Sr. and three of her children, Henry Bouley Jr., Christine Bouley, and Christopher Bouley.

She is survived by her sister, Irene J. Cetaruk of Chelmsford, Mass., and her brother, Alphonse H. Salembier of Flagstaff, Ariz. In addition, she leaves her remaining beloved children, David Bouley, N.Y., N.Y, Martin Bouley, Lake Tahoe, Nev., Jon Bouley of Coventry, Mark Bouley of Tolland, Michelle Bouley formerly Ferris of Tolland, and Theresa Bouley formerly Picard of Storrs.

Her family will receive friends from 2 to 5 p.m. on Sunday at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St. (Rt. 195), Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m. on Monday, May 14, at St. Thomas Aquinas Chapel, North Eagleville Road, Storrs, with interment following in St. Joseph Cemetery, Windham.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Three Rivers College Foundation-The Terry Dezso Scholarship Fund- 574 New London Turnpike, Norwich CT 06360.

May she rest in peace.

For online memorial guestbook, please visit www. potterfh.com.