Theresa A. Finn

December 24, 2016. Twas the night before Christmas when, surrounded by her six loving children, Theresa Ann Fitzgerald Finn died peacefully at home in Marblehead, as was her wish. She joins her beloved husband of 65 years, Albert E. Finn, who passed away a short nine months ago in March 2016.

Theresa is survived by her six children, all residents of Marblehead, Ellen Finn-Welch, Sean Finn and his wife Jessica Lee, Kate Finn and her husband Joseph Kowalik, Tracy Finn and her husband Christian Stumpf, Matthew Finn and his wife Heather, Elizabeth Finn-Elder and her husband Rick Elder. She is also survived by nine grandchildren, Erin Finn-Welch, Aliza Elwell and her husband David, Amy Finn-Welch, Joseph Kowalik IV and his fiancee Bita Zahedi, Julie Frates and her husband Peter, Peter Finn and his wife Tatty, Madeline Finn and her fiance Sam Case, Farrah Finn and Ryan Finn and finally her only great granddaughter Lucy Fitzgerald Frates. Theresa's surviving sister, Marie Scannell, lives in Arlington, MA and her lifelong best friend, Nancy McGrath, lives in Marblehead. Finally she leaves behind many, many cherished nieces and nephews and their children both near and far. Theresa was predeceased by her son-in-law Larry Finn-Welch as well as her siblings Robert Fitzgerald, John Fitzgerald and Muriel Reynolds.

Theresa was born at home in Cambridge, Massachusetts, in February of 1929 to John and Theresa Fitzgerald. Theresa and her four siblings inherited a lifelong love of the outdoors, wilderness and, specifically, the White Mountains of New Hampshire from their parents. Every summer of their youth was spent at Dolly Copp Campground in Gorham, NH. Theresa delighted in retelling stories of her siblings and friends climbing Mount Washington by moonlight. To this day, many of her nieces, nephews and grandchildren continue her legacy of hiking and love of the forest.

Theresa graduated from Radcliffe College in 1950 with a degree in Mathematics and Economics. After graduation, Theresa married her sweetheart Albert Finn. Her love of nature and the ocean drew her and Albert from Cambridge to Marblehead. She passed along her tendency for a daily swim to her children, teaching them to appreciate the natural beauty of the coast and the reflection of the moon on clear nights. Albert and Theresa followed their sense of adventure to Paris for a year of exploring city life, and returned again to Marblehead where they would raise their children and live the rest of their days.

"Mema's" grandchildren will always remember her love of a long drive. Whether it was a trip back to Maine for a forgotten stuffed animal, a day trip to Mount Washington, or an impromptu afternoon visit, she was happy to jump in her Thunderbird and escape. She always knew how to spend an afternoon: with a movie, a pint of Brigham's ice cream with jimmies, and a story read together in the waterbed. She taught them how to love life's small moments.

It wasn't just her children and grandchildren with whom she shared this generosity and kindness - she took the neighborhood children in as her own, including the McGraths and Randy Krivitsky. No one could meet Theresa and miss the extraordinarily kind way she connected with people. You could see this through the relationship she developed with the loving caregivers she grew to know closely over the last several months. Her aide, Martha Solis, was a gift from Heaven. Everyone who was lucky enough to have met Theresa carries her joy and generosity with them.

A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, January 14th at 11am at Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, 85 Atlantic Ave, Marblehead, MA. Relatives and friends are invited to attend. A reception will immediately follow the Mass. In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Theresa may be made to "The Pete Frates #3 Fund" in support of her grandson-in-law Peter Frates who is battling ALS. Donations to this fund go directly to assist Pete's in-home medical care. Please visit: www.petefrates.com/donate/

Funeral arrangements by Eustis and Cornell of Marblehead.