Theresa Ann Charette

Theresa “Terry” Ann Charette (Ouellette) was born on March 3, 1935 in Salem, MA to Elizabeth and Lucien. Growing up in a French speaking family, she learned to speak French fluently, but only spoke it at home. She used this skill to work for GE Aviation and translate documents to French. Her work with their engineers gave her full clearance with national defense projects. Little did Terry know she would one day marry an engineer! Although they knew each other from the neighborhood, their two well-meaning parents, her mother & Roger’s father encouraged their children, Terry and Roger, to go on a date. The rest is history! Terry was smitten with the handsome Airman, Roger Charette. After wasting no time they marched to the altar in 1956. They moved from Massachusetts to exotic places like Arkansas, Iowa, South Carolina and Georgia. Their family grew to four children which filled their home with laughter, love, adventure and a little mayhem. When she lost Roger too soon after 41 years of marriage, she continued her active life. Terry’s distinctive & infectious laugh helped her make friends easily - even strangers were drawn to her light-hearted, positive “I’m fine” nature. When she wasn’t entertaining in her home, volunteering her time, or hosting a fierce game of cards or bridge night, you could find her with her nose in a book (her form of exercise), drinking coffee, cooking something delicious, or working on her latest knitting project. Her love of cooking propelled her to try new recipes, even though her children were not the most willing or enthusiastic recipients of her new recipes. Terry was also artistic, and loved knitting, needlepoint, and crafts. In the 1980’s you would find her working at the Yarn Barn at Westgate Mall in Spartanburg, peddling the latest and greatest yarns from around the world. Terry was preceded in death by her parents, her husband Roger, her brother Richard, and her son Tom. She is survived by her son Bobby (Mary) and step-grandson Paul, daughter Suzanne, and daughter Mary Ann (Kevin), sister-in-law Laura, as well as her niece Barb Giordani and nephew Ron Ouellette. In the spirit of Terry’s giving nature, donations in her honor can be made to the American Heart Association or to the charity of your choice. A private family ceremony will be held on a date to be determined.

Tributes

Theresa Ann Charette

March 13, 1935 - March 19, 2023