Theresa M. (MacDonald) Dougan

Theresa M. “Terry” Dougan, 93 of West Warren, MA passed away peacefully at home on July 8, 2022. Born in St. Andrews, Antigonish Co, Nova Scotia she was the youngest daughter of John L. “Grey Donald” and Isabelle MacDonald.

In 1951, Theresa immigrated to the United States to attend The Household Nursing Association School of Attendant Nursing in Boston, MA. Upon graduation, she worked as a nurse in the Boston area until she married Robert W. Dougan of West Warren, MA in 1957. After moving to West Warren, she continued to work as a nurse until she retired in 1985.

Theresa loved to be busy and was always ready to try new things. She took up bowling and competed in local tournaments. She enjoyed ceramics, knitting, needlepoint and sewing and she liked to do volunteer work in the community. For a time, she baked and decorated custom order cakes and her children fondly recall that cake decorating days meant many bowls of leftover frosting would be handed out in exchange for promises to stay out of the kitchen and leave the cakes alone. She loved going camping with her family and friends and her favorite place to relax was at the beach. She was an avid reader and serious card player. She had a great sense of humor and she loved to make people laugh.

Theresa is survived by her children, Roberta Dougan of West Warren, Joan Dougan of Clermont, Florida and David Dougan of Belchertown, MA, her granddaughter Nathalie Dougan and many nieces and nephews. Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Robert W. Dougan, her sisters, Margaret “Molly” Fleming, Florence “Mae” Smith and brothers, John, Duncan, Colin, George, Jerome and Allan.

The family will be holding a memorial celebration of her life in the fall with date and time to be determined.

Varnum Funeral Home, Inc. 43 East Main St., in West Brookfield is assisting her family with arrangements.

The family would like to thank the wonderful staff at Baystate Hospice for all the care and support they provided to Theresa and her family.

Special thanks to Jennifer Wilk, Theresa’s companion and caregiver for the past several years who brought such love and happiness to Theresa and her family. Jennifer honored Theresa’s creative and adventurous spirit and was dedicated to providing her with every opportunity to lead a full and active life.

Theresa loved her little cat Woody and he brought her such joy. She rescued him from the woods behind her house as a tiny kitten. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Second Chance Animal Shelter in East Brookfield via their website secondchanceanimals.org or by mail at 111 Young Road, East Brookfield, MA 01515

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