WATERVILLE – Theresa Rita Cyr, 98, passed away peacefully with her family by her side, Saturday evening, Aug. 12, 2023, at the Alfond Center for Health, Augusta. She was the last surviving sibling of 14 children.

Born Dec. 30, 1924, in Fairfield, the daughter of Azarie and Amanda (Quirion) Julia, Theresa spent her childhood on the family farm and graduated from Lawrence High School.

Her strong musical interests led her to play the trombone in the band, the violin in the orchestra, and her singing in the Glee Club. Neighbors always noted that Theresa and her two sisters, when walking to and from school, would always be singing in harmony. On Saturday nights the sisters would sing and entertain the guests that came to the family farm on the upper Ridge Road. It is notable to credit Theresa, as a freshman in high school, with her winning first prize in the Spring Junior Reading contest for her dramatic presentation of “The Seagulls Are Calling” poem. Also athletic, and, carrying on the Julia tradition, she played basketball and was a cheerleader.

Following high school, Theresa worked at the Hathaway Shirt Company as a collar stamper and quickly decided to become a nurse. She studied at Sisters Hospital and did her internship at Margaret Hague Maternity Hospital in New Jersey. They liked her so much that they offered her a job, but she wanted to come home. She did so and began working at Sisters Hospital.

As fate would have it, Sisters Hospital would put on an annual Nurses Ball. The one year she decided not to go to the event, her best friend, Christine Connally, convinced her to go because she wanted to introduce Theresa to a handsome French-speaking gentleman named Real Cyr. She accepted the blind date, met Real (the love of her life) and the two were married during the coldest, stormiest day of the year that next January.

Theresa continued as a maternity ward nurse until the first of her five children arrived that December. Theresa was a strong advocate for her children and taught her children about the great value of a good education. Mother and wonderful homemaker, she later returned to her nursing career that lasted 25 years.

Theresa lived in Winslow most of her life and attended St. John’s Catholic Church, where she sang bass in the choir for years. She loved being with people and enjoyed her sweet doll collection full of baby faces, lace, and personality. Her hobbies included reading, knitting, baking, ceramics, golfing, and she enjoyed traveling with her family. Theresa loved having guests over to the house and together would sing and play the piano. Living very close to the high school football field, on game day Theresa, with open arms, invited friends over to warm their toes during many a cold football halftime. Many memorable and rousing Wist and bid Wist card games were played where cards being placed on the table “WITH VIGOR” would cause the table to jolt, shake, and bounce up off the floor.

She loved being around people and shared her zest for life with all. Helping people whenever she could, and, having an infectious and loving smile, her typical good humor and nature brought simple joys to others each day. Being kind an forgiving, Theresa truly cared about people and loved company. Expect correction if you said “goodbye” instead of “au revoir” as you went out the door. She would always end your visit by saying “I’ll see you out the window.” As you left her home, be it Beacon Street or Woodlands, you would most times see Theresa peeking out the window and waving. It was a loving wave and meant “enjoyed your company, love you and hope you come back soon.” Theresa Rita Cyr knew what was important in life. We love you, Mom. Au revoir.

“Well done, Thou good and faithful servant.” Matthew 25:23.

Theresa was predeceased by her parents; her loving husband, Real; her eight brothers, Azarie Julia, Jr., Phil Julia, Edmund Julia, Norman Julia, Roland Julia, Florian Julia, Alexander Julia, Arthur Julia; and her five sisters, Lillian Gilbert, Adrienne Poulin, Bernadette Perry, Evangeline Vigue and Florence Sears.

She is survived by her children Richard Cyr and wife MaryEtta, Jeanne Pelletier and husband Alan, Susan Cyr, Victoria Dute-Martinez and husband Nicholas, Andrew Cyr and wife Susan; many grand and great-grandchildren.

Many thanks go to the staff of MaineHealth Rehabilitation and Long Term Care at Glenridge and to the 3 West staff of The Alfond Center for Health in Augusta for their care.

Visiting hours will be on Tuesday, Aug. 22 from 5 to 7 p.m. at Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home 8 Elm St. Waterville. A Mass of Christian burial will be held on Wednesday, Aug. 23 at 10 a.m. at Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver St., Waterville. Burial will follow at St. Francis Cemetery, Grove Street, Waterville.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at http://www.VeilleuxFuneralHome.com for the Cyr family.

Arrangements are under the care and direction of Veilleux and Redington Funeral Home.

Copy the Story Link