Ernestine “Tina” Croteau – Methuen, MA
Ernestine “Tina” Croteau passed away peacefully on Monday February 3rd 2020 at 11:11 pm, with her loving Granddaughter by her side. She was 88 years of age.
The daughter of Joseph and Noelle Robillard, Mary Claire Ernestine was born on November 2nd 1932 in Rhode Island. In August of 1945 the family moved to a large farm in Grosvenordale, CT. After losing the farm to a fire and her father’s passing in October of 1945, Noella and Tina moved to Carlisle, MA to be with family.
Once graduating from St. Joseph’s H.S in Lowell, MA she enrolled in St. Joseph’s School of Nursing in Lowell as well. Tina had a passion for helping people and felt that to be her calling in life. She made the tough decision to leave school to wed Richard “Dick” Therrien. Upon moving back to Connecticut Tina and Dick had seven children, Daughters Jeanne, Diane, Kathleen and Cindy and Sons Robert, Joseph and Paul. Eventually the family settled into life in Lowell, MA. Tina and Dick had a long and fulfilling life together before Dick passed.
After his passing Tina met a man she would forever refer to as “The true love of her life”, Edward Croteau. Whenever they were together their pure love and constant laughter would brighten up even the darkest of rooms. Every trial and tribulation life threw at them they found a way to make things work. Tina’s children became his children. Her grandchildren knew him as their Grand-pere. They were the epitome of true love and are now back together for all eternity. Tina and Eddie had a wonderful love filled life together for many years.
Tina loved spending time with her family and friends. She enjoyed giving one particular Granddaughter lessons on losing at Rummy every time she would visit her beloved Grand-mere in Old Orchard Beach. Tina was a lover of the Ocean and all the serenity that it brought to her. Above all her faith and trust that God had a plan for her is what kept her strong during rougher parts of her life. Many of which were spent with friends who became family taking life “One Day at A Time” and remembering to “Let Go, Let God”.
Tina is survived by her son Paul Therrien of Haverhill, Daughters Diane Davis of Maine, Kathleen Theriault of Methuen, and Cindy Therrien of Florida. She has numerous Grandchildren, Great Grandchildren, and going on six Great Great Grandchildren! All of which she loved dearly.
Our Family would like to thank the LPNs, nurses and staff at Cedar View Nursing Home and Hospice who helped to care for our beloved Matriarch during her stay with you. Ensuring to keep her comfortable and pain free during those final days proved most difficult and we appreciate everything you did to make that possible for her. From all of us Thank You!
A service will be held in the Chapel at St Josephs Cemetery in North Chelmsford, MA on March 7th at 10:30 am with burial to follow immediately after.
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