Theresa M. Poisson, 83

Theresa M. (Ghilardi) Poisson, age 83, entered peacefully into eternal rest on New Years Day, 2013, at the Merrimack Valley Hospice House in Haverhill, after a courageous six year battle with Cancer.  She was the beloved wife for 46 years of the late Joseph L. Poisson, who died in September 1997.

She was born in Cambridge, Massachusetts on February 12, 1929, one of four daughters of the late Achille and Georgina (Cortopassi) Ghilardi, and was raised in Cambridge.  She graduated from the Cambridge Rindge and Latin High School and attended art school. While she was best known for having devoted her life to her family, Theresa maintained her skills as an artist throughout her life. She was also a devoted Boston Red Sox and New England Patriots fan.

She is survived by five children, Patricia Carter and her husband James, with whom she resided in Tewksbury, John Poisson and his wife Elizabeth (McCarthy) Poisson of York, ME, Barbara Webber and her husband Harry of San Tan Valley, AZ, Loraine Cotnoir and her husband Alain of Clifton Park, NY, and Jacqueline Furbush of Pelham, NH; nine grandchildren, Gregory and his wife Christina Carter of San Francisco, CA, Dawn Brown and her husband Cutter of Pleasanton, CA, Caryn Poisson of York, ME, Alissa and Maggie Poisson of So. Portland, ME,  Andrew Cotnoir of Danville, KY, Patrick Cotnoir and Megan Cotnoir both of Clifton Park, NY, Jeffrey Furbush and Alexander Furbush both of Pelham, NH; five great grandchildren; Evelyn and Lillian Carter, Covey and Makai Brown, Vandon Ahlquist, and was eagerly awaiting the birth of her sixth great grandchild due to Alissa and Maggie in May 2013 as well as many nieces and nephews. Theresa was predeceased by her three sisters, Aida Rhoades, Gloria Lauziere, and Clara Frank.

Visiting hours Friday, January 4, from 4:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Tewksbury Funeral Home, corner of 1 Dewey and 975 Main Sts. (Rte. 38) TEWKSBURY CENTER. Phone (800 in MA or 978) 851 2950.  Her funeral will begin on Saturday, January 5, at 9:00 a.m. from the funeral home, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. in St. William’s Church, 1351 Main St. (Rte. 38) Tewksbury.  Burial will follow in St. Mary’s Cemetery, No. Tewksbury.  In lieu of flowers, memorials to the Merrimack Valley Hospice House, 380 North Avenue, Haverhill, MA 01830, are encouraged. tewksburyfuneralhome.com