Theresa Dragon, 91

CHESHIRE, Mass. — Theresa Lively Dragon, 91, of Church Street, Cheshire, passed away peacefully on April 11, 2018, with her family by her side. 

Theresa was born in Heath, Mass., on August 27, 1926, the daughter of the late Rudolph and Maria Chouquette Lively. She attended schools in Williamstown and often talked of the one-room schoolhouse she attended at the five corners in South Williamstown. She graduated from Williamstown High School, with graduation taking place at the Adams Memorial Theater in Williamstown.

In her early years, she was employed by Gaverts and Williams College as a secretary. Theresa met the love of her life, Gerard Dragon, at the Williamstown grange, where she wore a red dress and they danced every dance together the rest of the night. In 1946, Theresa and Jerry were married, moving to Cheshire several years later, where they started their family. 

Theresa was a communicant of St. Mary’s Church in Cheshire, being heavily involved for over 70 years. She enjoyed people, sewing, baking, often giving away many of the things she sewed or baked. Theresa was a long time babysitter throughout the town of Cheshire and helped raise many children throughout the years. She had a bright infectious smile and brought her warmth and her love of people wherever she went. 

Her husband Gerard died in 2001. Theresa was predeceased by her parents, Rudolph and Maria Lively; a son, Thomas Dragon, who died in 1991; her brother Emil Lively; her sister Cecile Labelle; her brother Gerard Lively; and her sister Jean Ducharme. 

She is survived by her two sisters, Marie Millis, of Manchester, Conn., and Adrienne Olney of Vermont; her daughters, Marion Tinney (Ward) of Hinsdale, Mass., Louise Mroz of Harmony, Maine, Beatrice Davis of Indianapolis, Ind., and Evelyn Polidoro (Bill) of Charlottesville, Va.; her son Larry Dragon (Susan Randall) of Cheshire; her grandchildren, Laura, Diane, Robin, Lori, Eddie, Mark, Mindy, Jeff, Kim, Jennifer, Angela and Brian; and 24 great-grandchildren. 

We would like to thank her companions, Shauna and Jenn from Elder Services, Berkshire County Adult Day Health and Craneville Place of Dalton. 

Funeral notice: Funeral services for Theresa will be held Tuesday April 17, 2018, with a Liturgy of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church, celebrated by Rev. Matthew Guidi, Pastor. Calling hours will be held Monday, April 16, 2018, from 4 to 7 p.m. at St. Mary of the Assumption Church. 

Donations may be made to the Thomas E. Dragon Memorial Scholarship Fund in care of McCann Technical School in North Adams, Mass. Dery Funeral Home is in charge of the arrangements.