Van Buren--- Theresa Duplissie, 95, passed away on December 16, 2022 after a full life filled with fun, laughter, challenges and triumph. She was predeceased by her husband Ludger Duplissie on Dec. 16, 1995.

Theresa was born on April 22, 1927, to Vital & Laura (Lausier) Leblanc in Van Buren. After Theresa graduated from Sacred Heart High in 1941, she went on to become an au pair for the Michaud Family, caring for their three children. One of the most endearing times of her life, it was here that she discovered her love of caring for and raising children.

In 1945, Theresa met and married a dashing gentleman named Ludger Duplissie in Van Buren, which set them on an odyssey of marriage nobody could have predicted. Theresa and Ludger went on to have 15 children, the first 10 of whom were born during their first 12 years of marriage!  They are: Marlene Holbrook (Ken deceased) of Greensboro, NC, Rick Duplissie & wife Liz of Waynesville, MO, Stella Brazalovich & husband Alex of Saco, ME, Steffan Duplessis & wife Catherine of Vail, AZ, Wayne Duplissie (deceased), Marge Sacharko of VT, Dale Duplissi (deceased), Ludger Duplessis & wife Betty of Sacramento, CA, Danial Duplissie of Tucson, AZ, Cyndy Duplissie & husband John, of Van Buren, Glen Duplissie & wife Kacie of Oakville, CT, Kevin Duplissie & wife Kay of Brewer, James Duplissie & husband Scott of Scarborough, Colleen Duplissie & husband Mike of Caribou, Tina Duplissie & husband Luke of Caribou, and 75 grand-children & great grand-children.

In 1997, at the age of 70, Theresa retired from a career of cooking for others at The Tastee Freeze and Kenno's Brookside to become a full-time caregiver to her daughters' children. As a result, they have wonderful memories of their beloved Memere Taz. To this day, Theresa's children still chide the nieces and nephews with the phrase "Aww, you're not listening to Memere," which puts the fear of God into them.  Theresa also battled and defeated cancer several times, proving her resilience and faith.

In her spare time Theresa LOVED to watch any crime show, especially Law & Order SVU, Big Brother and her soaps. She was also an avid reader and enjoyed playing cards, especially Canasta, Charlemagne and Phase 10. She was always smiling, always willing to make her children's favorite meals while visiting and always ready to skunk her kids at a game of Cribbage.

She had 2 life-long friends, the warm and gentle-voiced Louise Parent, and the vocal-determined Germaine St. Amand. These two women provided the truest sense of camaraderie and loyalty to Theresa throughout their long friendship. She loved to travel with her children beyond her small hometown, and her favorites were Europe, Hawaii, Las Vegas, and New York City. She will be lovingly remembered by all whose lives she touched.

Besides her parents, Theresa was predeceased by brothers Gerry, Freddie, Bernie and Roland Leblanc and sister Adrienne Butkus.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10 AM on Wednesday, December 21, 2022, at St. Bruno-St. Remi Catholic Church, Van Buren. Relatives and friends may greet the family Tuesday evening 6-8:00 PM at Lajoie Funeral Home, 118 High St., Van Buren. Spring interment will be in Grand River Cemetery, Van Buren. In lieu of flowers, donations in Theresa's name may be made to a Cancer Society of one's choice; a cause Theresa felt strongly about.