Obituary of Theresa Degou

Theresa Degou, Loving wife of the late Joseph Degou, and mother of 9, passed away after a short illness at the Tidewell Hospice in Port Charlotte, FL on Wednesday night, April 29, 2015. She was 89 years old. Theresa was born and raised in Cambridge, MA. She was the oldest daughter of the late Omer and Mary Vanasse. She continued living in North Cambridge until 1970 when she moved to Burlington, MA. She was employed at Cambridge Trust as a bookkeeper. She then put her full attention to raising her 9 children. When her children were old enough, she returned to the workforce as a technician at Textron in Winchester, MA Theresa’s life revolved around her family. She loved hosting the holidays with all her children. Christmas was special for Theresa, The family would gather and sing Christmas Carols. Yearly vacations were spent camping with friends and family. Riverbrook and Old Orchard Beach, Maine camp grounds were their favorite places to camp. Theresa and Joe were also avid snowmobilers. They traveled all over New England and Canada riding with family and friends. She enjoyed spending quieter times crocheting, knitting, sewing and doing needle point. She also enjoyed going to bingo with her cousin Lou. In her retirement years, she enjoyed traveling to Aruba, Hawaii, and Alaska being some of her memorable trips. For the last 20 years, she enjoyed wintering in the Punta Gorda, Florida. She enjoyed treasure hunting at flea markets and dinners at The Fisherman’s Village. Theresa lived her life to the fullest surrounded by family and friends. Theresa was the loving wife of the late Joseph H. Degou. She was the loving mother of Robert Degou of Lowell, Linda Litchfield & her husband Ted of Burlington, Steven Degou & his wife Pam of Lowell, Donald Degou & his wife Teresa of Newburyport, Diane Hinsman & her husband Robert of Pelham, NH, Richard Degou of Burlington, Donna & her husband Greg Costopulos of Woburn, Carol Dillon & her husband Dan of Billerica, and David of Burlington. She was the sister of Irene Burke of Woburn. Also survived by 15 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren. Visiting hours will be held at the Edward V. Sullivan Funeral Home, 43 Winn St., BURLINGTON (exit 34 off Rt. 128/95, Woburn side) on Thursday, May 7 from 9:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Followed by a Mass of Christian Burial in St. Margaret’s Church 111 Winn St., Burlington at Noon. Interment will follow at Chestnut Hill Cemetery, Burlington. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited. Memorials in Theresa’s name may be made to Tidewell Hospice, 1158 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952.