MILFORD—Theresa F. Moran Laliberte, 91, died peacefully October 13, 2020 at her residence following a brief illness of pancreatic cancer. She was born April 29, 1929 in Bradley a daughter of William and Rose (Willette) Petrie.
Theresa was brought up in a home full of music and singing. Her father, a self taught musician, teaching Theresa to play the piano, violin, and banjo all by ear. Her talents led to tap dancing, which she taught herself. Her father would bring her to Barton’s Store in Bradley where at the age of 4 years old she would put on a dance routine on the counter.
Her family, (20 siblings) moved to Sandy Point (Flea Point) in Milford, where singing and the playing of instruments could be heard. They would get into three rowboats and row around French Island, serenading the neighbors.
Theresa graduated from John Bapst High School in 1947, the University of Maine with a Bachelor’s in Education, and taught at Dedham Elementary School for 26 years.
She married her first husband Frank Moran in 1949. They got into square dancing and started the club The Square Knots and Polka Dots. She would teach adults and children at the Bradley Town Hall and Helen Hunt School. Theresa became the only lady square dance caller in New England, visiting various clubs in the New England States and in Canada as a guest caller.
Theresa’s square dance club was called on to represent the State of Maine by performing in two World’s Fairs; New York City In 1964 and Montreal, Canada in 1967. This was a tremendous honor for Theresa and the Square Knots and Polka Dots.
Following Franks’ death in 1981, she and her girlfriends joined the Heart of Maine Chorus and Sweet Adelines. They performed all over New England . She became their Chorus Director and enjoyed again the chance to sing.
She married Roland Laliberte in 1982, traveling together and enjoying life. He passed away in 1996.
Theresa was given a chance to be in the Old Town Governor’s Band where she played the drums, she later joined the Brewer Home Town Band on drums and joined the Dixie Land Band as their singer. Not long ago she went back to teaching square dancing to five year olds at the Brewer Elementary School. Music and singing was her life. She was such an inspiration to all who knew her, and she sang her way through every day of her life.
She is survived by her daughter Deanie Greenleaf and her husband Frank of Milford; son Harry Moran and his wife Kathy of Madison, MS; their eight children Holly Townsend (Tom) of Atlanta, TX, Lora Norta (Ken) of Flowood, MS, Julie Moran of Madison, MS, Aileen Daghmach (Rudy) of Madison, MS, Michelle Turner (Nick) of Houghton, LA Elizabeth Munroe (Russell) of Flowood, MS, and Emily and Caroline Moran of Madison, MS; step children Joanne (Laliberte) and Gene Staffiere of Bangor, their sons Anthony and Joseph and their families; Richard and Colleen Laliberte of Glenburn and their children Ricky Laliberte and Stephanie Thompson; Theresa is also survived by one remaining sister Donna Cook of Jay; many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; husbands Frank Moran and Roland Laliberte and 19 siblings.
The family would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to Dr. Chris Ritter and his staff and hospice nurse Janice of Northern Light Hospice for their excellent care given to our mother.
A Celebration of Life will be announced in the spring. Notes of condolences or memories may be shared at www.briminghamfuneralhome.com
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