1926
Theresa
2023
Theresa P. (Perry) Bolen
October 9, 1926 — September 19, 2023
Theresa Bolen Obituary
Theresa P. Bolen, age 96, was born on October 9, 1926 and passed into eternal life in the early morning hours of September 19, 2023. She had been the youngest of eleven children and devoted daughter to the late Antone and Lillian (Maiden) Perry of New Bedford, MA, where she was raised, happily growing up near her grandfather’s farm and developing her life-long love of animals. While she disliked the taste of the farm’s goat milk, she credited it for her amazing constitution. She always looked beautiful, defying the years.
Her life was marked by her faith, and she recalled early memories of evening prayers with her parents and siblings, kneeling next to her mother’s bed. Throughout her life, she acknowledged how blessed she had been.
In 1945, Theresa married Henry T. Bolen and later had a son, Tom and daughter, Terry. They first settled in Newport, RI, later moving to North Windham, CT, and finally building a home on several acres of scenic countryside in Columbia, CT. For many years, they were communicants at St. Columba Roman Catholic Church. For several decades, they faithfully attended the Healing Masses of Rev. Fr. Ralph A. DiOrio in Massachusetts.
After nearly 60 years of marriage, Henry predeceased her in 2005.
In 2016, Theresa left her Columbia home to live alternatively six months of the year with her son and daughter-in-law in Knoxville, TN (Holy Ghost Church), and six months with her daughter and son-in-law in Coventry, CT (St. Mary Church). Although she dealt with the effects of progressive dementia and her short-term memory was often a challenge for her, she maintained a desire to battle it. Even until a stroke at the end of August robbed her of the ability to speak, she would flawlessly say grace at every meal and recite evening prayers for her daughter and son-in-law. Her prayers were her very important contribution to the family dynamic. She never missed a word. Similarly, while in Tennessee, family prayers were always said, and Theresa never faltered.
Theresa was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and all her siblings and their spouses. She is survived by her son, H. Thomas Bolen (Linda) and her daughter, Theresa M. Mike (Roger) as well as 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and several nephews and nieces.
Her family wishes to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the angels of mercy who cared for Theresa during this final ordeal: those at Hartford Hospital, Brookdale of South Windsor, Masonicare (Hospice), and CareAides and Companions. Everyone with whom the family interacted was generous and kind. If Theresa could have thanked them individually, she would have.
Friends may call on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass, with Rev. Fr. Gregory P. Galvin officiating, will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St., Coventry with her burial following at Columbia Center Cemetery in Columbia.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Theresa P. (Perry) Bolen, please visit our floral store.
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Theresa P. Bolen, age 96, was born on October 9, 1926 and passed into eternal life in the early morning hours of September 19, 2023. She had been the youngest of eleven children and devoted daughter to the late Antone and Lillian (Maiden) Perry of New Bedford, MA, where she was raised, happily growing up near her grandfather’s farm and developing her life-long love of animals. While she disliked the taste of the farm’s goat milk, she credited it for her amazing constitution. She always looked beautiful, defying the years.
Her life was marked by her faith, and she recalled early memories of evening prayers with her parents and siblings, kneeling next to her mother’s bed. Throughout her life, she acknowledged how blessed she had been.
In 1945, Theresa married Henry T. Bolen and later had a son, Tom and daughter, Terry. They first settled in Newport, RI, later moving to North Windham, CT, and finally building a home on several acres of scenic countryside in Columbia, CT. For many years, they were communicants at St. Columba Roman Catholic Church. For several decades, they faithfully attended the Healing Masses of Rev. Fr. Ralph A. DiOrio in Massachusetts.
After nearly 60 years of marriage, Henry predeceased her in 2005.
In 2016, Theresa left her Columbia home to live alternatively six months of the year with her son and daughter-in-law in Knoxville, TN (Holy Ghost Church), and six months with her daughter and son-in-law in Coventry, CT (St. Mary Church). Although she dealt with the effects of progressive dementia and her short-term memory was often a challenge for her, she maintained a desire to battle it. Even until a stroke at the end of August robbed her of the ability to speak, she would flawlessly say grace at every meal and recite evening prayers for her daughter and son-in-law. Her prayers were her very important contribution to the family dynamic. She never missed a word. Similarly, while in Tennessee, family prayers were always said, and Theresa never faltered.
Theresa was predeceased by her husband, her parents, and all her siblings and their spouses. She is survived by her son, H. Thomas Bolen (Linda) and her daughter, Theresa M. Mike (Roger) as well as 12 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, and several nephews and nieces.
Her family wishes to acknowledge with sincere gratitude the angels of mercy who cared for Theresa during this final ordeal: those at Hartford Hospital, Brookdale of South Windsor, Masonicare (Hospice), and CareAides and Companions. Everyone with whom the family interacted was generous and kind. If Theresa could have thanked them individually, she would have.
Friends may call on Monday, September 25, 2023 from 5:00 pm – 7:00 pm at Potter Funeral Home, 456 Jackson St., Willimantic. Her Funeral Mass, with Rev. Fr. Gregory P. Galvin officiating, will be held at 10:30 am on Tuesday, September 26, 2023 at St. Mary Church, 1600 Main St., Coventry with her burial following at Columbia Center Cemetery in Columbia.
To send flowers
to the family or plant a tree
in memory of Theresa P. (Perry) Bolen, please visit our floral store.
Read More
To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Theresa P. (Perry) Bolen, please visit our flower store.
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