Theresa F. (Rocheleau) Burchstead

Theresa (Rocheleau) Burchstead, 88, of Leominster died on Sept 7, 2023 after a short illness.

Terry was born in Fitchburg on December 7, 1934 to Roland and Veonie (Caron) Rocheleau. She was predeceased by her husband Richard four months earlier, an infant son, Michael Burchstead, her parents and her brothers Armand, Rene, Jack and Gerald Rocheleau.

Terry never met a person she didn’t consider an instant friend. She always assumed the best in people, and she was well-loved and cared for because of it. She graduated from St. Bernard’s high school in 1952. One of her greatest pleasures was helping organize the annual reunions so she could spend a weekend with friends and classmates. 

She met Richard Burchstead on Whalom lakefront and asked if he’d take her for a ride in his boat. They married in 1961 and moved to Leominster in 1964. September 30th would have been their 62nd anniversary. They lived in that same home, raising their family and later hosting every family holiday with kids and grandkids, until Dick's passing earlier this year. 

She is survived by daughters Jody (Burchstead) LaFerriere and her partner Thomas Giarrosso and Debra (Burchstead) Sojka and her husband Robert. She is also survived by her much-adored grandchildren Michael LaFerriere, Peter Sojka and Ellen Sojka. 

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