Mary Theresa Botelle

Mary Theresa Botelle was born on Jan. 19, 1919, in Mystic, the daughter of Anthony and Emilie Frensch Marseilles. She passed away Jan. 17, 2010, at home surrounded by her loving family. She was the widow of Edward M. Botelle Jr., a prominent local attorney, and had lived in Hope Valley since her marriage in 1940.
Mary was a communicant of St Joseph's Catholic Church in Hope Valley, served on its board of trustees from 1993 to 2008, and was the first president of the Rosary Altar Society upon its establishment in 1963. She was secretary and a member of the board of directors for the Washington County Visiting Nurses Association during the consolidation of area visiting nurse associations in 1963. Her lengthy career began in 1936 as a legal secretary to Attorney John Ferguson who was the solicitor for the towns of Westerly and Hopkinton. She managed the law office of her husband, Edward M. Botelle, until its closing in 1989 after which Mary provided administrative services in the legal field, working closely with Atty. John R. Payne until her retirement on April 2, 2009. She, like her late husband Edward, believed in the power of the individual and importance of each citizen's voice and vote. She remained engaged in various local issues with her last letter to the editor published in The Westerly Sun in May 2009.
She is survived by her children, Mary E. Botelle of Novato, Calif.; Anne L. Terp and husband Albert H. Terp of Arlington, Va.; Martha B. Vida and husband Dr. Julius A. Vida of Greenwich, Conn.; and Edward M. Botelle and wife Mary Jean Botelle of Canterbury, Conn.; and by her grandchildren, John C. Terp, James P. Terp, Andre B. Vida, Nicholas D. Vida and Kathryn E. L. Vida. She is survived by numerous nieces and nephews.
She was predeceased by her brothers, Ernest, Charles, Louis, and Herman; and sisters, Anne, Clara, and Dorothy
Relatives and friends are invited to attend a Mass of Christian Burial Thursday, Jan. 21, 2010, at 11 a.m. in St. Joseph's Church, Main Street, Hope Valley. Burial will follow in Wood River Cemetery. Visiting hours are respectfully omitted
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Mary T. Botelle to The Catholic Foundation of Rhode Island for St. Joseph's Church (Hope Valley), One Cathedral Square, Providence, RI 02903 or to The Wood River Health Services Community Fund, 823 Main St., Hope Valley, RI 02832-1915.
For online condolences shared memory books go to www.averyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements have been entrusted to the S.R. Avery Funeral Home Hope Valley.