GORHAM – Theresa M. Brennan, formerly of Bangor, passed away Oct. 31, 2009, at the Gorham House, Gorham. She was the wife of Robert D. Brennan and the daughter of Leonardo and Carmella (Ragonna) Tedeschi. She was born Jan. 2, 1922, in Jersey City, N.J., and attended the local schools. An avid sports fan, she counted with pride her time spent as a member of a women’s baseball team coached by New York Yankee great Joe DiMaggio. After enlisting in the Women’s Army Air Corps, WAACS, in World War II, she served her community and country as a first aid worker assisting wounded soldiers. While stationed in California she received a letter of commendation citing her role in saving the life of a child. After the war, Terry moved to Bangor, where she met and married Robert, a Maine native. They made their home in Bangor where they raised their three sons. They were communicants of St. Mary’s Parish. Always a tireless worker, she held a variety of jobs. Volunteering to help the Democratic Party in a local election began an interest and career in politics. A highlight of that career was attending the inauguration of President Lyndon B. Johnson. At the time of her retirement she was the chairman of the board of Voter Registration of Bangor. Family and friends were a central part of Terry’s life and she found joy and purpose in helping others. She was an enthusiastic supporter of family sporting events and she cheered just as loudly for the Red Sox. A cancer survivor herself, Terry helped organize and participated in a Portland 2006 Relay For Life. Proud of her adopted state of Maine, she loved the rocky coast, the smell and sound of the ocean, and summers spent at Green Lake. Fluent in Italian and Yiddish, she possessed a multicultural appreciation of dance, music and cuisine. Her travels included yearly trips to Florida and an occasional excursion to Atlantic City, N.J., where she and her sister Fay were glad to break even at the gaming tables. One of her most treasured memories was of accompanying her father – then in his 80s – to revisit his birthplace of Brindisi, Italy. She was always proud of her Italian heritage. Terry is survived by her husband of 58 years, Robert D. Brennan of Gorham; their sons, Michael and his wife, Margaret Brennan, of Bangor, Leonard and his wife, Susan Brennan, of Portland and John Brennan of Madison, Wis.; and two grandchildren, Thomas Brennan and Kathleen Brennan. She is also survived by sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Aniscovicz of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., Mrs. Fay Muck of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., and Ms. Connie Tedeschi of Manhattan, N.Y.; several nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her parents; stepmother, Maria Tedeschi; and brother, James Tedeschi. A private memorial service and interment with military honors will be held Friday, Nov. 13, at the Maine Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, Augusta. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the American Cancer Society, 1 Bowdoin Mill Island, Suite 300, Topsham, ME 04086.
THERESA M. BRENNAN
