Theresa (Mercier) Parenteau

Franklin Theresa (Mercier) Parenteau Theresa (Mercier) Parenteau, 87, a longtime resident of Franklin, died on Saturday, May 30, 2015 at the Genesis Center in Franklin following complications from a sudden illness at her home. She was born in St. Isidore, Canada, August 25, 1927, daughter of Alfred and Rose Alma (Turgeon) Mercier. Theresa lived in Canada until moving to Franklin, December 16, 1946. She held dual citizenship in Canada and the United States until becoming a citizen here in 1952. She and her late husband Bob were married in 1950. For many years she was employed at the former J. P. Stevens Woolen Mills until its' closure in 1970. She later worked at L. W. Packard Woolen Mill in Ashland. Wanting to be closer to home, she then worked at the former Arthur S. Brown, Tilton Endless Belt Co. in Tilton. She was a longtime parishioner of St. Paul Roman Catholic Church in Franklin, serving as a greeter at Saturday Masses and volunteered at the St. Paul Church Food Closet and Twin Rivers Interfaith Food Pantry in Franklin. She also volunteered at the Merrimack County Nursing Home in Boscawen in the 80's. Theresa was proud of her volunteer work for Mother Teresa Missions with the Seabecks, making clothing for children and others, and of recent years, making small quilts for other charities. Theresa was a former president of Union St. Jean Baptiste in the 80's. A seamstress, she enjoyed making crafts and gifts for many charities. She was a former member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas, Court Annie Nesmith in Franklin and Lady of the Lakes Court 1110 in Laconia. She enjoyed being a member of the Franklin Senior Citizens Club. In addition to her parents, Theresa was predeceased by her sister, Marie Anna Rheaume and brother, Arthur Mercier of Canada, her daughter, Susan "Sue" Parenteau-Hansen who died in Colorado, 2010 and her husband, Robert Parenteau in 2011. She leaves her son in law, Paul Hansen of Colorado, niece, Nicole Rheaume of Montreal, Canada, brother in law, Gerard Parenteau of Franklin, brother, Alcide Mercier of Ontario, Canada, sister, Rose Helene Valliere of Montreal, sister in law, Simone Parenteau of Drummondville, Quebec and numerous other nieces and nephews. She also leaves a cousin, Marie Pelletier of Franklin. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Paul Church of St. Gabriel Parish in Franklin, Monday, June 15, 2015 at 10:00 AM with burial following at Holy Cross Cemetery in Franklin. Following the committal prayers at the cemetery, friends and family are invited back to the Franklin VFW, Peabody Place in Franklin to share in a celebration of Theresa's life. Arrangements are under the care of the William F. Smart Sr. Memorial Home in Tilton. Those wishing may make Memorial Contributions in Theresa's name to Franklin VNA and Hospice, 75 Chestnut St., Franklin, NH 03235.