WESTBROOK – Theresa Eva (Richard) Donatelli, 91, passed onto her new life on July 2, 2018 at home surrounded by her loving family. She was born on October 29, 1926 in Lewiston, Maine to William and Marion (Boucher) Richard. Theresa attended private Catholic schools in Lewiston before moving to Portland as a young girl where she finished her education in Portland Public Schools.
She married Gilbert Donatelli Sr. in 1946. The couple built a home and prospered with a family of five children. Theresa assisted her husband with his general contracting company, D. Donatelli & Sons, Inc. Theresa was very proud of her years of cooking in the central kitchen and serving meals to 3500 Portland Public School children.
She enjoyed comradeship with her colleagues and rose to head cook before retiring. She was very active in her parish, St. Pius X Church in Portland, Maine. For 23 years, she taught C.C.D. classes which she felt was her calling.
She partnered with her husband to work with couples preparing to be married in a Catholic church through Pre-Cana for 7 years. Mrs. Donatelli was honored to serve as an Eucharistic Minister at mass for many years. She raised funds to support her many charities through a variety of creative endeavors.
Her pilgrimage to Apparition Hill in Medjugorje, Bosnia and Herzegovina was a highlight of her life. As an avid reader of the Bible, Theresa enjoyed touring the Holy Land with members of her parish in June, 2000. Family always came first for Theresa who made many trips with her husband to spend quality time with their children as they branched out across the country.
She lived her life trying to see the world through the eyes of others. Mrs. Donatelli is survived by her beloved husband of 72 years, Gilbert Donatelli Sr., her son Daniel and daughter-in-law Jo Donatelli, daughter Rosemary and son-in-law Jeff Grabarz, son Gilbert Jr. and daughter-in-law Mi Jin Donatelli, son Michael Donatelli,M.D. and son-in-law PeterChien, M.D. PhD. and son David and daughter-in-law Tracy Donatelli.
She is also survived by eight grandchildren and seven great grandchildren. The entire family wishes to thank the staff of VNA Home Health & Hospice, South Portland, ME for the amazing care, love, support and top notch professionalism received by our beloved wife and mother. Visitation will be on Friday, July 6, 2018 from 5-7 p.m. at A.T. Hutchins Funeral Home, 660 Brighton Ave, Portland.
A funeral mass will be held at St. Pius X Church, 492 Ocean Ave, Portland at 10:00 a.m. on Saturday, July 7, 2018. All are welcome to attend and celebrate Theresa’s life. In lieu of flowers, please donate to the Hands Together – Dignity and Hope to the Poorest of the Poor in Haiti.
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