Theresa A. Gabis, 63, of 23 King Road, Athol died Tuesday, March 27, 2012 in the Baldwinville Nursing Home, Baldwinville, following a long battle with cancer.
Born in Gardner on May 14, 1948, she was the daughter of the late Joseph W. and Mildred M. (Muscznicka) Gabis.
Theresa graduated from Gardner High School with the Class of 1964, and received her Bachelors Degree in Biology from Fitchburg State College in 1970.
In her early years, she taught Science at Our Lady of the Holy Rosary School in Gardner and was a substitute teacher at Mahar Regional High School in Orange. She then joined the Order of the Sisters of the Presentation of Mary and also the Community of Teresian Carmelites as a nun. After leaving the Order, she worked for the Development Delayed Adults Residence (RZR) in Winchendon. She later was a Research Engineer for many years at Sprague Electric Company in Worcester.
Theresa was a member of St. Francis Church and Our Lady Immaculate Church, both of Athol. She was an organist, Choir Director and CCD Director for several local churches. She was also a member of the Polish Roman Catholic Union of America. She had a strong devotion to the Lady of Czestochowa and the Divine Mercy.
She enjoyed swimming, snorkeling, walking on the beach, reading, traveling and playing cards and especially playing cribbage. She enjoyed her trip to Israel where she soaked in the salt water of the Dead Sea. Her favorite television shows were "The Good Wife", "NCIS", "Criminal Minds" and "Cold Case". Theresa was an accomplished organist, soloist and accordionist.
Theresa felt that our Lord Jesus guided her every step of the way. Her faith kept her strong and confident, even until her final moments in this life. She always thought of others and also tried to help them find their way. She was their beacon and guiding light, and will always be remembered for her gentle, kind and selfless nature.
She leaves her two loving brothers, Joseph R. Gabis and his wife Caroline of Lunenburg and Stanley Gabis and his wife Kathe of Franklin, MA and Naples, FL; one aunt, Helen Vandyne of Baldwinville; several nieces, nephews and cousins. She also leaves her dear friend, Theresa Aukstikalnis whom she shared many happy memories with and who will miss her dearly.
Funeral Services will be held Friday, March 30th from the Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols Street, Gardner with a Mass at 10:30 a.m. in Our Lady Immaculate Church, 244 School Street, Athol. Burial will be in St. Joseph's Cemetery, Gardner.
Calling hours will be Thursday, March 29th from 5:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the funeral home.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or to the Gardner Visiting Nurse, Hospice Program, 34 Pearly Lane, Gardner, MA 01440.
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Visitation Details
Thursday, March 29th, 2012 5:00pm - 8:00pm, Boucher Funeral Home, Inc., 110 Nichols St., Gardner
Service Details
Friday, March 30th, 2012 10:30am
Interment Details
St. Joseph's Cemetery