Theresa Croteau

Theresa (Foley) Croteau, 66, of Hubbardston, Massachusetts, passed away on March 10, 2026, after a courageous battle with Huntington’s Disease.

Born in Norfolk, Virginia, to the late John A. and Kathleen E. (O’Rourke) Foley, Theresa grew up with her seven siblings, moving between Tennessee, Florida, Washington, Maryland, and California before the family settled in Ashburnham during her high school years. She graduated from Oakmont Regional High School in 1977 and earned a Bachelor of Science in Medical Science from Fitchburg State College. She began her career as a lab technologist, advancing quickly into management roles through her leadership and professionalism. Her accomplishments were recognized by the Joint Commission, and she later shared her expertise as an adjunct professor at Fitchburg State College, teaching the next generation of medical technologists.

Theresa cherished time with her husband and family. She was a fiercely competitive board game player, regularly outplaying her siblings in games that accommodated large groups and later challenging anyone to beat her at Scrabble, which she seemed to know by heart. She had a deep love for the Outer Banks of North Carolina. Even as her health began to decline, she organized a memorable beach week for the extended family in a twelve-bedroom house, where they enjoyed watching wild horses and sharing meals together. She also treasured her wide circle of friends, with whom she created lasting memories on vacations to Sebago, Fort Myers, and the Outer Banks, and celebrated her 50th birthday with a private James Montgomery concert. In her later years, she delighted in being driven in a convertible while visiting loved ones.

Theresa was a loving and generous wife, sister, sister-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, and friend. She is survived by her devoted husband of 43 years, Bryan, who cared for her with unwavering love and comfort through the progression of her illness; her brother Brendan Foley of Lumania; and her sisters Eleanor M. Lashua, Anne Foley (David Briggs), and Barbara Kowalski (John). She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews whom she adored, as well as her college best friends Noreen and Marya, with whom she shared a lifetime of adventures. She was predeceased by her parents, two brothers Hugh and Daniel Foley, her sister Bridgett Foley, one nephew, one great-niece, and one great-nephew.