Teresa J. Burgess

SOUTH ROYALSTON - Teresa J. (Flematti) Burgess, 94, of South Royalston, died Thursday, October 15, 2009 in the Heywood Hospital, Gardner. She was born in South Royalston on May 11, 1915, the daughter of the late Antonio and the late Maria (Rinaldi) Flematti. Mrs. Burgess was a lifelong resident of South Royalston and attended Athol High School. She worked for many local manufacturers as an Assembler in Quality Control, including the former N. D. Cass Company, the former Union Twist Drill, and the L.S. Starrett Tool Company. She later worked for Simplex in Gardner for many years until her retirement. Mrs. Burgess was a member of the AARP, Templeton Golden Agers, Royalston Center for Aging, and was a former 4H Club Leader. She was a founding member of Our Lady Queen of Heaven Church in South Royalston. Her hobbies include making hooked rugs, sewing, knitting, and crocheting. She enjoyed baking apple and blueberry pies, tending to her flower gardens, and taking her white dog, Sha-Sha, for walks. She also enjoyed vacationing with her husband to several destinations over the years including Hawaii, the Virgin Islands, and Italy. She leaves two daughters, Diane Snow of Nashua, NH, Terri Bates of Peabody, MA; two sisters, Rita Fogg, Rosetta Joly, both of Athol; one grandson, Alan Dahlqvist of CA, and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband of 64 years, Leslie I. Burgess, on August 3, 2001; by two brothers, John Flematti, Nick Flematti; by three sisters, Mary Schmidt Richard, Anna Rousseau, Bruna Bowers; and by her son-in-law, Raymond Bates, in 2008. Calling hours will be held Sunday, October 18, 2009 from 5 to 7 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Monday, October 19, 2009 at 10:30 a.m. in the Murphy Funeral Home, 137 Main St., Athol. Burial will follow in Gethsemane Cemetery, Athol. Flowers may be sent, or memorial contributions may be made in her memory to Athol High School Scholarship Association, P.O. Box 338, Athol, MA 01331. $(document).ready(function(){ });