Theresa "Terry" Mary Gratis

Theresa "Terry" Mary (Labretto) Gratis, 90, passed to eternal rest on August 31, 2026 with family by her side at Tobey Hospital, Wareham, MA. She was born March 12, 1936 in Bourne, MA, daughter of the late Albina (Mula) and Giuseppe "Joseph" Labretto.

After growing up in the town of her birth, she graduated with the Bourne High School Class of 1955 and went on to graduate Becker Junior College in 1957. She met her husband, the late Michael G. Gratis of Windber, PA, while he was stationed at Otis Air Force Base, and the two were married in November 1958 at St. Margaret's Church in Buzzards Bay, MA. A few years later, they moved into their lifelong home on Wilson Avenue in Buzzards Bay.

Terry spent her life in service to the community as an educator with the Town of Bourne school system. She had a 52-year career spanning generations of town residents before her retirement in 2019 and touched the lives of countless children in their early years. She loved working with children of all ages and gave time as a Cub Scout Master and an Officer in Civil Air Patrol, as well as volunteering with local youth sports teams and school bands. Everyone knew her as an avid New England sports fan, especially her beloved Red Sox, and a lover of animals great and small. She also endlessly devoted time to family, helping to raise her grandchildren and instilling in them a sense of curiosity about science and the natural world. Her energy, love of life, and gregarious nature were well known the town over. A serious fall in 2023 took some of the wind out of her sails, but Terry remained at her home in Buzzards Bay, under care of her family, and stayed involved in their daily lives.

Along with her parents and husband, she was predeceased by her older brother, Joseph Labretto, Jr. (Pocasset, MA and Wolfeboro Falls, NH) and many dear family and friends. She is survived by her son, Michael J. Gratis, Sr., and his wife Jan (Buzzards Bay, MA), as well as an extended family, including 12 grandchildren—Rachel, Michael, Renee, Barrett, Jon, Shannon, Sarah, Stephanie, Shenelle, Shaelyn, Ben, and Shania; 12 great-grandchildren—Gabel, Eva, Soly, John, Weston, Isaac, Arleigh, Riley, Meira, Jackson, Chanel, and Axel; and 4 nieces—Rosemary, Laurel, Kathi-Jo, and Susan. Terry has left behind many other relatives, friends, and students—too many to name here, but never forgotten.

She truly will be missed as Gratis family matriarch. Her family looks forward to welcoming all at a celebration of Terry's life on Sunday, October 4, from 2 PM to 5 PM, at Nickerson-Bourne Funeral Home, 40 MacArthur Blvd, Bourne, MA. Please bring your photos and stories to share in remembrance. Per her wishes, there will be no public funeral or burial.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to Southcoast Health At Home Hospice and Palliative Care and Elder Services of Cape Cod and the Islands, the organizations that provided much needed support and compassion to her and her family these past years, and to CHAMPs Animal Shelter of Wareham, guardian and caretaker to those animals most in need.