1931 - 2016
Visitation
February 2, 20163:00 P.M. to 6:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Funeral
February 2, 20166:00 P.M.
Dolan Funeral Home
Margaret A. (Anderson) Theroux, 85, of Chelmsford died peacefully on Sunday, January 31, 2016 from complications of Alzheimer’s disease at D’Youville Senior Care Center in Lowell.
Margaret (better known as Peggy) was married to the late Earl Theroux, who died on November 2, 1995.
Born in Boston, she was the daughter of the late Herbert and Marion Anderson and grew up in Hamden, CT. She graduated from Boston University Sargent College of Education in 1952 where she was a member of Kappa Kappa Gamma.
Peggy was a gifted school teacher serving the majority of her career as a third grade teacher at Center School in Chelmsford. After retiring from teaching, she worked as a Learning Skills Specialist at Chelmsford High School until 1995. Over her 40 year career in education, she received countless awards and accolades for her exceptional contributions from students and their parents, peers and school administration. She was known as an extremely kind and caring person who wasn’t afraid to show that compassion to her students.
Peggy’s greatest joy was spending time with her family.
She is survived by a daughter, Susan and her husband, Richard Ursch of Carlisle, MA; a son, David Theroux and his wife Sandra of Manchester, NH; a sister, Helen Mead of Paradise Valley, AZ; her grandchildren, Brian Theroux, Daniel and his wife, Jennifer Theroux, Lauren Ursch, Julianne Ursch, Jordan Ursch; great granddaughter, Lily and many nieces and nephews.
Peggy also enjoyed being an active member of Grace Bible Church in Dracut, MA.
Her visiting hours will be Tues. from 3 to 6PM followed by a Funeral Service at 6:00PM at the DOLAN FUNERAL HOME 106 MIDDLESEX ST. CHELMSFORD. Memorials can be made in her honor to the D’Youville Foundation, 981 Varnum Avenue, Lowell, MA 01854 or at: dyouville.thankyou4caring.org/donation-form
Eleanor Shea
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Susan I am so sorry about your mom she was a Great lady Love Eleanor
Kate
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I’m so sorry for the loss of Peggy. I was her neighbor and paper girl when I was younger. When I was in high school she helped fund me to become a foreign exchange student and told me that “travel and education were the most important things”. May she rest in peace.
Cindi Wallace
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Sue, my thoughts are with you. The hardest thing we go through is to lose our moms. I am so sorry. Love you.
Cindi (Wallace)
Timothy Hilpert
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So sorry Sue,Dave for your loss. Our loss is truly her gain. She had a faith that changed her life, and many around her. She always loved seeing my boys come to “work” on the plumbing in her house. Her love for children was unmatched. Thanks for sharing her with us. Tim Hilpert
Wendy McMann
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Dave, Susan and your families, my sincerest condolences on the passinjg of your mom. She was a wonderful lady and I will remember her fondly.
Kathy Cosgrove
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If you are lucky you love or are fond of your relatives . If you are really lucky you have one you adore , for me that was my Aunt Peggy . Susan and David and your beautiful families you are all in my heart and prayers , she adored you all and many, many loved her .
Blessed are those who die in Christ to live again . With love and sympathy , Kathy and family xoxo
Carol (Connor) Derkrikorian
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So sorry for your loss.May the memories you have bring you comfort..she Wil forever be in your hearts. RIP Peggy
Jerry Passione
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Susan, I’m sorry for the loss of your mom. I pray that she rests comfortably in heaven and I pray for you and the family to have the much needed strength at this challenging time. Jerry
Linda Eisenreich
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Dear Susan, Rick, and Family
I am so sorry for your loss. During this time, take comfort in knowing that family and friends are thinking of you. Hopefully soon, all of the good memories will come forward and lessen the pain of the bad ones.
Joanne
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I’m 50 now but still remember Mrs Theroux as my favorite teacher. So sorry for your loss
Susan Ursch
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Joanne, It seems she was everyone’s favorite teacher! Thank you for your kind words.
David Wierdsma
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To Susan and all of family – Condolences for your loss. My Aunt Marie, “Auntie M”, a Dominican Sister nun for 20 years, and a school teacher for 50 years, also passed away last year, at 85 years of age, succumbing to complications due to Alzheimers…
I think that kindness / caring and compassion are remarkable, and thank God for those who bring such qualities into our lives, and into our world. May your Peggy rest in peace.
Blessings and Peace –
D
Susan Ursch
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David, She is definitely in a better place. Thank you.
Greg Reid
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My very favorite teacher ever!! Always loved seeing here at the pool club and around town, she was the best!!
Susan Ursch
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Greg, I remember meeting at the pool. She was so excited to see you again. Thanks for sharing.
Beth (Deitz) Haskell
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She was the best!!! 47 years later I still remember her as my teacher. I have thought of her often, She was definitely a very special woman. My condolences to the family.
Susan Ursch
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Thank you, Beth. I’m not surprised to hear this as she was definitely a very special teacher. We appreciate that you took the time to remember her.
Ed Quinn
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A wonderful,caring teacher, a laugh a minute friend. I’m sorry for your loss.
Carole Halloran
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To the family of Peggy, we were saddened to learn of your mothers recent passing.
Her unique Sargent Spirit, loyalty and commitment to the Sargent College Diners Club will be greatly missed at future gatherings. Be at Peace Peggy, you remain in our thoughts and prayers.
Betty Arnold, Sar45, Carole Halloran, Sar57
Susan Ursch
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Thank you, Carole. You must be one of the “Sargent girls we hear so much about.” She definitely kept her Sargent spirit until she could no longer remember. I know all her friends will remain in her heart in heaven.
Kristina (Dostaler) Germano
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Susan and David, I feel like I knew you. Her greatest pleasure was you. I am so sorry for your loss.
The world needs more educators like she was. Her excitement and love of learning and teaching was infectious! She was my 3rd grade teacher and whenever there was a question asked about if there was one person that inspired you to learn, Mrs. Theroux was the answer. She was unconventional and joyous. She had an igloo in her room and a day bed. I think she was a pioneer without knowing it that different children learn differently. We played “Let’s Make a Deal” with math and “Hollywood Squares” for grammar.
Her nickname for me was “Superlistener” and I remember getting a postcard from her when she went to visit her son in California even when I was in 5th grade, addressed to same :-). After her retirement from full time teaching of elementary school, she became an aid in the special needs class in my high school, much to my delight. I immediately signed up to volunteer in her classroom twice a week. She taught me more than ABC’s and 123’s. She taught me joy and compassion.
When my oldest son Jake, was entering 3rd grade, I took the chance that she still lived in the same home in Chelmsford and wrote her a letter. I explained that my hope was for my children to find just one teacher in their school careers to touch their souls the way she touched mine, to give them a love of learning and themselves.
She looked me up, called me and invited us over. I brought my children, Jake, Ben and Lily to meet her (about 10 years ago). She was as welcoming and cheerful as ever.
She humbly showed me a book that another former student had written and sent her a copy of recently. That student saw what I had because the author dedicated his book to 2 people- Mrs. Theroux and a college professor.
The world is a little more bleak with her passing.
To all you educators out there, Margaret “Peggy” Theroux has set the bar! But know if you can have even half the possitive influence she had on so many lives, it will be a life well spent!
With love and sorrow, I say good-bye, Mrs. Theroux –
Yours always,
Superlistener
Kristina (Dostaler) Germano
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Susan and David and families, I am so sorry for your loss
The world needs more educators like your mom was. Her excitement and love of learning and teaching was infectious! She was my 3rd grade teacher and whenever there was a question asked about if there was one person that inspired you to learn, Mrs. Theroux was the answer. She was unconventional and joyous. She had an igloo in her room and a day bed. I think she was a pioneer without knowing it that different children learn differently. We played “Let’s Make a Deal” with math and “Hollywood Squares” for grammar.
Her nickname for me was “Superlistener” and I remember getting a postcard from her when she went to visit her son in California even when I was in 5th grade, addressed to same. After her retirement from full time teaching of elementary school, she became an aid in the special needs class in my high school, much to my delight. I immediately signed up to volunteer in her classroom twice a week. She taught me more than ABC’s and 123’s. She taught me joy and compassion.
When my son, Jake was entering 3rd grade, I took the chance that she still lived in the same home in Chelmsford and wrote her a letter. I explained that my hope was for my children to find just one teacher in their school careers to touch their souls the way she touched mine, to give them a love of learning and themselves.
She looked me up, called me and invited us over. I brought my 3 children, Jake, Ben and Lily to meet her. She was as welcoming and cheerful as ever.
She humbly showed me a book that another former student had written and sent her a copy of recently. That student saw what I had because the author dedicated his book to 2 people- Mrs. Theroux and a college professor.
The world is a little more bleak with her passing.
To all you educators out there, Margaret “Peggy” Theroux has set the bar! But know if you can have even half the possitive influence she had on so many lives, it will be a life well spent!
With love and sorrow, I say good-bye, Mrs. Theroux –
Yours always,
Superlistener
Susan Ursch
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Dear Kristina (Superlistener, which sounds so like our mom), Thank you for sharing such a beautiful story. It meant so much to my brother and me.
Joanie Monahan
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I worked with Peg at Chelmsford High. She was an inspiration to me – passionate and compassionate. She made such a positive impact on so many young lives. I sincerely feel blessed to have known this beautiful person.
Joanie Monahan
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I worked with Peg at Chelmsford High. She was an inspiration to me – passionate and compassionate. She made such a positive impact on so many young lives. I sincerely feel blessed to have know this beautiful person.
Joanie Monahan
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I worked with Peg at Chelmsford High. She was an inspiration to me – passionate and compassionate. She made such a positive impact on so many young lives. I feel blessed to have known such a truly beautiful person.
Susan Ursch
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Thank you Joanie. I’m sure Peggy would say the same back to you.
Peggy Desrosiers
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We at Grace Bible church enjoyed Peggy’s friendship, smile and wit. I am sorry for your loss. Please take comfort in the fact that now she is with her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, never again to experience the ravages of her disease.
Susan Ursch
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Peggy, You know how much Peggy loved Grace Bible Church. Thank you for your kind words.
Gail Smaldone
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To the family of Mrs. Theroux… I had Mrs. Theroux in 3rd grade at Center School, as a long term substitute, for Mrs. Irvin (also succumbed to this dreadful disease). I remember after a few weeks, our class was missing our teacher, and gettting “tired”of Mrs. Theroux. :O) One day, we all came in from the morning bus, and on Mrs. Irvin’s desk, was a very well written note, “I am sorry I am not Mrs. Irvin, but I am your friend and want you all to be mine!” We never complained again. A wonderful individual, kind, caring, and very loving of her students, even in her very early years, as a substitute back in 1963. As a Substitute myself these days, I take with me the wonderful memories of times with Mrs. Theroux, especially when I am at Center School, as the sub in what was once, Mrs. Irvin’s 3rd grade classrm. Many times, I will tell the children of stories about my being in that classroom. May she rest in peace, and may all of you be blessed in the days ahead, for you have surely been blessed to have such a very special person for your mom, and Grandmother.
Susan Ursch
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Thank you, Gail. I remember your name from days past. It was great of you to share you memories.
Julie (Lucas) Gordon
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I am so sorry for your loss. I had Mrs. Theroux as my third grade teacher. She was an inspiration then and now for any teacher. Her creative way of teaching made learning fun . I have the same memories that someone else wrote about. The daybed that you got to sit on, Let’s Make a Deal, and the wonderful play called “The Missing Part of Speech” She even let us pull pranks on her on April Fool’s Day.I was fortunate to have her during a difficult time in my life. My mother was very ill. She showed such compassion for me and my family. She made a difficult time a little less for because I loved school so much. Any student who had her was fortunate to have one of the best teachers. I became a teacher and have been for 20 years.
Susan Ursch
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Julie, My brother and I heard similar stories from so many past students, parents and teachers at her service. She was a great teacher…that’s for sure! Thank you for sharing.
Laura Cancella
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Susan,
I’m so sorry to hear about your mom. Thinking of you and your family!
Warmest regards,
Laura Cancella
Formally of Kowalik Family Chiropractic
Susan Ursch
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Thank you, Laura! I remember when you left the Dr’s office to go get her in Littleton when she got lost. I just told that story to Lauren the other day. It was so nice to hear from you and hope you are enjoying the time with that beautiful baby of yours! Love, Susan