BURLINGTON - Theresa L. LaRoche, 84, died peacefully at home with her loving family on July 11, 2011.

Theresa was born in Burlington on Aug. 3, 1926, the youngest and last surviving daughter of Joseph and Parmelia (Phaneuf) LaRiviere.

She graduated from Mount St. Mary Academy in 1944. Theresa married Raymond J. LaRoche on Feb. 7, 1948, in St. Joseph Church. For many years she was the bookkeeper for their business, Raymond J. LaRoche General Contractor, until Ray's retirement in 1988. He predeceased her on Nov. 11, 2002. Theresa was a longtime member of St. Anthony Parish and was generous in donating to many Catholic charities. She played the piano and the organ. She was an avid gardener and scrabble player. She loved crafting and gifted many of her works to family, friends and fundraisers.

Theresa is survived by her loving children and their spouses, Robert M. and Deborah LaRoche of Austin, TX, Pamela and John Ackerson of Burlington, Carol and Anthony Speranza of Alburgh and Philip LaRoche of Austin, TX; eight grandchildren, Lisa Shaw and her husband, Aaron, Jennifer Ellis and her husband, Michael, Kristin Ackerson and her fiance, David Welch, Michael Ackerson, Carrie and Sarah Speranza and Nicole and Austin LaRoche; three greatgrandchildren, Colby and Faith Ellis and Adam Shaw; her sister-in-law, Mariette Clairmont of Burlington; many nieces and nephews; and her dear friend, May Rockwood of Shelburne. Theresa was predeceased by her sisters and brothers, Eva Burgoyne, Bernadette Nichols, Beatrice Crosby, Irene Belville, Ursula Boucher, Cecile Monroe, Philip LaRiviere, Dr. Joseph LaRiviere, Annette Kittell, J. Edmund LaRiviere and Martha Boucher.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. on Thursday, July 14, 2011, in St. Anthony Church with interment to follow in New Mt. Calvary Cemetery. Visiting hours will be on Wednesday, July 13, 2011, from 6 to 8 p.m. in the Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Home, 85 No. Winooski Ave., Burlington.

Arrangements are by Boucher and Pritchard Funeral Directors.

Published in The Burlington Free Press on July 12, 2011