Obituary of Theresa C. Lavallee

PLANTSVILLE - Theresa María Correra Lavallee “Terry”, 83, of Plantsville, Connecticut passed away peacefully on Wednesday, February 13, 2019.  Theresa will be remembered as a loving and devoted wife, mother, sister, cousin and fierce friend to so many in the community.

Terry was born on Mar 14 1935 in Providence RI, the daughter of the late Maria & Louis Correra MD where she met and married the love of her life, the late Leo P. Lavallee Jr., to whom she was married for 51 years. The couple established their life in Cheshire in 1968 where they both were actively involved in the community throughout the years. The couple could often be found eating Sunday breakfast at a local eatery laughing with friends and telling stories of their travels around the world and bragging about each other's grandchildren. 

She earned a degree in Education from Rhode Island College and was an elementary school teacher early in life.   Later in life she co-founded and enjoyed a multi decade career as the President of Nutmeg Utility Products, Inc., a Cheshire based, nationally recognized manufacturer, distributor and service company devoted to providing solutions to the utility industry. She was a congregant of St. Bridget's Catholic Church and taught CCD classes for many years.

Terry was most known for her kind spirit and a true passion for cooking.  It was her joy to whip up a family favorite, hostess numerous occasions for family & friends as well as business functions and was a charter member of the local "Gourmet Club".  She amassed a prized collection of multi-generation family recipes that she passes on to her surviving loved ones and their future “culinary enthusiasts”!

She is survived by her three loving children, Leo Lavallee of Cheshire, Jeannine Lavallee and husband Nelson Algarin of Cheshire and Elizabeth Orsini  and husband Mark Orsini of Plantsville, as well as her four precious grandchildren, Michael Lavallee, Maria Lavallee, Chloe Flanagan and Ryan Flanagan. She also leaves her sister, Lora and Rich Johnson of Pittsburgh, and brother, Robert and Gloria Correra of RI, sister-in-law Jacqueline and Louis Dufresne of MA.  She was predeceased by a brother, Francis “Frank” Correra.

Special note of thanks and gratitude to The Beacon Hospice group and to four very special caregivers Melissa, Dawn, Dorene and Rosemary for their compassionate and kind support.

Arrangements - Calling hours will be held at the Alderson-Ford Funeral Home of Cheshire, 615 South Main St. on Sunday Evening, February 17th from 5:00-7:00 pm.  The funeral procession will leave the funeral home on Monday morning at 9:30 am and proceed to St Bridget Church/ St Bridget of Sweden Parish, 175 Main St. for a Catholic Mass in Celebration of Theresa’s life at 10:00 followed by a graveside service at St Bridget's Cemetery.  Memorial contributions may be made to the Cheshire Education Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 7, Cheshire, CT 06410.