Mrs. Theresa M. Stevens

Theresa Marie (Dionne) Stevens, age 85, passed away peacefully on August 31, 2024. Theresa was born July 14, 1939, in St. Agatha, Maine, the eldest daughter of Medley and Doris (Gervais) Dionne. In addition to her parents, Theresa was predeceased by her high school sweetheart and loving husband of 52 years, Bill Stevens; a son, Randy Stevens, a daughter, Carrie Ann (Stevens) Lord, son-in-law, Forrest Lee Griffith, and her loving toy poodle, Logan, who she enjoyed pushing around in a baby carriage. Married in Tacoma, Washington on July 2, 1959, Theresa returned to Madawaska to raise her family and start her own “Baton School.” She was a baton teacher for 35 years. Teaching in St. Quentin, Edmonston, St. Jacques, Green River, St. Basil and St. Francis, New Brunswick, and in Maine, she traveled to Allagash, St. Francis, Fort Kent, St. Agatha, Frenchville, Madawaska, and Caribou with a large following, becoming known far and wide as “Madame Stevens”. She was well-known throughout Maine and across the border of Canada for producing the best drum and baton drill teams. Leading numerous fundraisers and heading many organized trips from Quebec to Florida, Madame Stevens kept in contact with many of her students throughout the years. In Madawaska, Theresa volunteered as a CCD teacher and was PTA President for several years. Theresa and her family spent many glorious summers at their cottage on Pelletier Island on Long Lake. There she tended her magnificent vegetable gardens, immersed herself in a passion for reading, and enjoyed hosting many family gatherings. Theresa also enjoyed her years traveling in New England with the Madawaska High School wrestling team. Theresa and her late husband wintered in Florida, where she kept active as a busy substitute teacher and as a Eucharist Minister at the local Catholic Church. She treated people kindly and made friends wherever she went. She had a contagious laugh that could light up the room and could not bear to lose at trivia contests or board games. Rarely was there a tag sale on Saturday that she would pass by without a “quick look.” Theresa is survived by her son, Craig, and wife, Chantel Stevens, of Gray, Maine, her daughter Beth Griffith, from the Berkshires in Massachusetts, and son-in-law, Vinny Lord of Windsor, Maine. She leaves her granddaughter, Summer, and great grandson, Hudson, of Fairfield, CT Theresa was the oldest of 9 siblings: Charlene McComb, deceased in 2024, Celesta Theriault, of Madawaska, Ronald Dionne, deceased in 2018, Rick Dionne of Madawaska, Sandra Gauthier of Williamstown, NJ, Beverly Couturier from Edmonston, NB, Michael Dionne from Old Orchard Beach, and Mark Dionne from Madawaska, as well as many nieces and nephews. Many thanks to the employees at Mt. Greylock Rehab Facility, the most compassionate and loving caregivers. Funeral Notice: A private graveside service for Theresa will be held at a later date. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory can be made to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, https://www.cff.org, or http://marchofdimes.org

Mrs. Theresa M. Stevens

July 14, 1939 - August 31, 2024