Obituary of Theresa Marie Veronica Pothier
Theresa Marie Veronica (Monaghan) Pothier
Passed away peacefully in her home in St. Catharines on May 9, 2021 with her loving family by her side.
She attended Dalhousie University for her B. of Music; Juilliard in New York City, and the U of Toronto for her teaching certification.
She taught at the St. Catharines Collegiate in St. Catharines for 20 years where she developed a choral music program. Her choirs and ensembles won many awards at Kiwanis Music Festivals in Niagara and Toronto, winning a provincial championship for her women’s choir. She also produced half a dozen musicals such as Fiddler on the Roof, Oklahoma and others. Theresa took the choir on trips to Florida, New York City, Expo Vancouver, and Kentucky to sing at various high schools, churches and Disneyworld.
Theresa sang with the St. Catharines Symphony on several occasions including the Mahler 2nd Symphony with Maureen Forester; she also sang with the Madrigal Singers, Niagara Chorus and with the Fred Willett band at Queenston Heights. Theresa sang at hundreds of weddings, played the organ and was choir director at several churches. Most recently, she was the pianist at the Unitarian Church for ten years. She had many private piano and voice students who also competed to great acclaim in the Kiwanis Festivals. Theresa taught these students until she was 90 years old.
Theresa was a member of the CFUW– Canadian Federation of University Women St. Catharines; member of the Catholic Women's League at St. Denis Parish and the Dunlop Seniors Center where she played bridge.
Theresa was the pianist at the Oban Inn, in Niagara-On-the-Lake, for sing-a-longs, for 25 years and at the Riverbend for two years.
Theresa was married to Hector Joseph Pothier for 17 years (deceased)
She has a sister Tela in Lunenburg, NS and her husband Joe (deceased), and had a sister Libby (deceased) and her husband Ray, and a brother Albert and his wife Phyllis (both deceased)
Theresa had six children Jennifer Lynn Elizabeth, in Niagara on the Lake and husband Vince (deceased); Hector Mark Anthony and his wife Louisa, in Edmonton; Michael James (deceased); David Albert Pothier and wife Cathy in Vernon, BC; Daniel Joseph Pothier and partner June McGibbon in Dundas; and Sandra Louise Pothier (deceased). Roy Carlsen (unofficial brother of the family).
Theresa has 14 grandchildren and three great grandchildren. Theresa, Nathaniel, Neomi + son Jaydon and daughter Alyson; Ayla, Taylor + son Julian , Savanna, Danny, Randi, Cory, Jesse + Kory, Mikey, Hayley, Kayley, Hector and Veronica.
The family would like to thank all the Health Care Workers who provided care for the last several years. Special thanks to Wilma, Raeca, Bev, Priscilla, Pearl, Anna and Tita. Thank you Dr. Ricciardi for the hands on personal care you provided to mother over 20 years. We are eternally grateful to all the family friends that provided ongoing physical and emotional support over the years.
In keeping with Theresa's wishes, cremation has taken place. Arrangements have been entrusted to the GEORGE DARTE FUNERAL HOME 585 Carlton Street, St. Catharines.
A scholarship fund in Theresa’s name to assist a student of music in pursuit of their musical education has been setup. The Pothier Estate will donate $10,000.00 to the establishment of this fund. Donations can be made to the Theresa Pothier Vocal Scholarship fund at Chorus Niagara by etransfer to cnadmin@becon.org, ,cheque payable to Chorus Niagara, 221 Glendale Ave., P.O. Box 25019, St. Catharines, ON, L2R 3S7, or through canadahelps.org/en/charities/chorus-niagara.. Due to Covid protocols, a Mass and Celebration of Life (outdoors) will be held at a later date.
Mass Details:
The family of Theresa Pothier would like to invite you to a Mass in her honour on:
Thursday, August 4, 2022 at 11:00 a.m. St. Alfred Church (272 Vine Street, St. Catharines, ON L2M 4T3)
If you are unable to attend the Mass, you will also be able to livestream on St. Alfred website.
Please go to www.stalfredcatholicchurch.ca and click the livestream button at the top of the page.
Celebration of Life Details:
Following the Mass, the family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Theresa (Mrs. P) (Terri)
in St. Alfred Church Hall at 12:00 p.m.
Please RSVP if you will be attending the Celebration of Life to Roy Carlsen at: rcarlsen@rogers.com
We look forward to welcoming friends on this special day!
Jennifer, Hector, David and Danny
