Theresa I. Pol of Chelmsford, MA

Theresa Irene Pol passed away peacefully on November 2,2023, in North Chelmsford, Ma age 80, surrounded by her children. Theresa was born in Lowell, MA on Jan 8, 1943, to Lillian R Moreau and Joseph B Moreau.

She grew up in Lowell and attended Lowell schools. Theresa was an incredibly talented and strong-willed daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, who despite any adversity always came out on top and persevered. She was a fighter straight out of the womb. Born with three kidneys and having two removed, she was advised she would likely not be able to have children. She persevered and as she would demonstrate throughout her life, she overcame this adversity and went on to have four children, her pride and joy.

She married at a young age and moved to Puerto Rico. Remarkably talented and mature for her age, she quickly learned to speak Spanish fluently, along with already being fluent in French. She began working for the Puerto Rico telephone company, where her English and Spanish speaking skills were in high demand assisting the numerous mainland callers to the island. She subsequently moved back to Lowell, where she became totally focused on raising her children as an independent, single mother.

Her children were her highest priority, sacrificing any personal need in order to ensure her children’s needs were always met. After her children grew older, Theresa worked for Wang Laboratories as a software librarian. Theresa was the most unselfish, compassionate, empathetic person anyone could meet, and was a role model for her children. She was a devoted grandmother and great-grandmother as well, lighting up the room with her smile whenever she was in their presence.

She will be greatly missed, but leaves a legacy of love, strength, and compassion that will endure for generations. Theresa was preceded in death by her mother and father Lillian and Joseph Moreau; brothers Robert Moreau and Roger Moreau; and sisters Doris Simonetti and Eileen (Cookie) Thorp. She is survived by her daughter Debbra Ryan and husband Keith of Helotes, TX; son Miguel Pol and wife Victoria of New Hampshire; son Joseph Rubert and wife Erika of Lowell, MA; and daughter Patricia Pol of Nashua, New Hampshire; along with eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren; and of course, her cat Charlie. The family would like to thank her caregiver Tatiana for her extraordinary care, compassion, and friendship over the last few years of her life.

There will be a private service for family and close friends. In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations in Theresa’s name to the National Kidney Foundation, fighting to save lives by eliminating kidney disease.