Theresa H. Fichtel

ASHBURNHAM - Our wife and mother passed away on Saturday, November 5, 2011 in the company of her loving family and close friends. We feel blessed and fortunate that we were able to spend so much wonderful years with our wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, a warm, caring and loving soul. Theresa or "Teedy" as she was known to everyone was born and raised in Poughkeepsie, New York, the daughter of Joseph E. Hannan and Rachel Elting Hannan. In her early 20's, she met and married Willard V. "Bill" Fichtel from the Fairview area of Poughkeepsie. Together they had five children, Tom, Mike, Bill, Bob and Mary Jo and raised them, first in Jamestown, NY and for more than 50 Years in Ashburnham, MA, providing a loving nurturing and involved (active) environment for their family. In Ashburnham and many summers on Cape Cod, they also enjoyed the company of their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Teedy was very active in support of her children as a former Den Mother for the Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Brownies and Girl Scouts. Through this involvement she made a number of wonderful friends and remained close to them throughout the years. She was also active as a community volunteer with the American Red Cross, Daughters of the American Revolution, Great Decision, Ashburnham Historical Society, Stevens Library Board of Trustees, Ashburnham Board of Registrars and Board of Health, the Clio Women's Club and St. Denis Guild. In 1982, Teedy was awarded "Ashburnham Women of the Year" by the Greater Gardner Chamber of Commerce. Teedy was predeceased by her older brother, Joseph Hannan of South Bend Indiana, her sister, Betty Dillon of Albany, New York, and her grandson, Michael Fichtel of Templeton, MA. A memorial Mass will be held on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 10:30 A.M. in St. Denis Church, Ashburnham, MA. Friends and family are asked to go directly to church. Calling hours in Mack Funeral Home, 91 Vernon St., Gardner are Wednesday, November 9, 2011 are from 1 p.m.- 3 p.m. and 6 p.m.- 8 p.m. We are planning a gathering to celebrate her life following the mass at Father Lacey Hall, St. Denis Church. Many thanks to all who have shared their lives and friendships with our wife and mother. It meant so much to us and to her. In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made in her memory to the Friends of Stevens Library 20 Memorial Drive Ashburnham MA 01430 and may be left at the funeral home. $(document).ready(function(){ });