CLARKSBURG, Mass. — On the evening of Thursday, December 22, 2016, Marie-Therese “Therese” (Delisle) Lavoie, 90, of Clarksburg went to live in heaven in peace. She spent the last four years of her life being lovingly taken care of by caregivers of the 2nd floor of North Adams Commons and most recently the loving nurses of Hospice Care of the Berkshires.  

Therese was born in Milan, Quebec, Canada, on May 4, 1926, a daughter of Ernest and Lucy (Lassard) Delisle. She attended schools in Canada, and worked in Sherbrooke, Quebec, as the head wedding cake designer at a bakery there for seven years until her marriage. She moved to Chatham, New Brunswick, with her husband to become the head cook for an all-male logging company and after a few years moved to the United States in search of work.

Therese moved to Holyoke and then North Adams, where she worked at the Hoosac Cotton Mill. She later worked as a caregiver for many children whom she loved and raised as they were her own. She made many friendships through the years with many families along the way. She was a communicant of Notre Dame du Sacre Coeur Church. 

Therese had a green thumb and enjoyed gardening and was an accomplished seamstress. She continued to bake for her beloved husband throughout their marriage and never bought a store-bought pie or cake during the course of their marriage. She baked for the church bingo and all of her daughter’s school bake sales. She enjoyed traveling with her husband in their motor home, which included visiting relatives throughout Canada and New England.  

Winter time was her favorite time of the year; she loved decorating both indoors and out for Christmas and watching the snow fall so it was fitting that she left this world for heaven on a beautiful winter evening after the snow had fallen. Her happiest and proudest time consisted of spending time with her only grandchild, Emma Elizabeth. 

Survivors include her husband of 68 years, Bert “Frenchie” Lavoie, whom she married on August 28, 1948; her only daughter, Michelle Marie Waryjasz, and her one granddaughter, Emma Elizabeth Waryjasz, both of North Adams; Beth Saulnier who she loved like her own daughter from Ithaca N.Y.; Betty Saulnier who was also part of Therese’s family; many friends, nieces, nephews, and brother- and sister-in-laws. 

She was the last living member of the Delisle family and was predeceased by 10 brothers and sisters. 

A loving hug and much appreciation from Therese’s family for the true love and tireless efforts she received from everyone at the North Adams Commons who also became her family these past few years.  

Funeral notice: A celebration of the life of Therese Lavoie will be held on Saturday, January 7, 2017, at 11 a.m. at Flynn & Dagnoli-Montagna Home for Funerals, West Chapel, 521 West Main Street, North Adams. A calling hour will be on Saturday morning from 10-11 a.m. 

Burial will be at a later date in Southview Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association through the funeral home.