RANDOLPH – Theresa Lillian (Betts) Tisdale, 93, of Randolph, died Thursday, April 18, 2024, at the Oak Grove Center, in Waterville, Maine.

She was born in Gardiner, Maine on July 5, 1930, the fifth child of Perley and Ethel (Durrell) Betts of Gardiner.

Theresa was a lifelong member of the First Baptist Church of Gardiner and attended Gardiner schools. She was active in the Gardiner High School band playing the snare drum, in drama clubs, and in the Gardiner Grange 4-H Broadcasters Club. She married Edwin Tisdale Sr in 1954 and traveled the United States and to Japan during his military career.

After returning to Gardiner in the mid-1960s, she and her husband were active in many local service organizations including the Gardiner Grange, the Order of the Eastern Star, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 9, where Theresa served as President of the Ladies’ Auxiliary. Theresa was also a past matron of the Olive Branch Chapter No. 156 O.E.S., a member of the Garrison Hill Chapter No. 158, and currently of Beacon Chapter No. 202. In later years, Theresa was active in the IOOF Rebekahs, Eureka Lodge, serving as Noble Grand and District Deputy President.

After her husband passed in 1975 and her children were older, Theresa was employed by Catholic Charities of Maine, Senior Outreach Program, as a Certified Nurse’s Aide. She would visit and assist the elderly in their homes, transporting them to doctor visits and shopping, and ensuring they could continue to live on their own. She also worked with young mothers, teaching parenting skills and home budgeting and meal planning. She eventually transitioned into Child Services with Catholic Charities, assisting during court supervised visitations.

Theresa was predeceased by her parents, Perley and Ethel; six siblings; husband Edwin Thomas Tisdale, Sr. in 1975, and son Todd Benson Tisdale in 2020. She is survived by her daughter Bernetta LaPlace; sons William Tisdale, Edwin Tisdale, Charles Tisdale, and Richard Tisdale; 11 grandchildren, 23 great-grandchildren, and four great-great grandchildren.

Visiting hours will be from 5-7 p.m., on Monday, April 29, at Staples Funeral Home, 53 Brunswick Avenue, Gardiner, where a funeral service will be held at 10:30 a.m., on Tuesday, April 30, burial to follow at the Central Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta, beside her husband. 

Arrangements and guidance are entrusted with Staples Funeral Home and Cremation Care, Gardiner, Maine. Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared with the family on the obituary page of the Staples Funeral Home website, http://www.staplesfuneralhome.com.

In lieu of flowers please make donations in Theresa’s name to the Catholic Charities Development Office, PO Box 10660, Portland, Maine 04101-6060. In Memory Gifts | Catholic Charities of Maine (ccmaine.org)

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