Theresa “Terry” Dussault died on Tuesday, September 22, 2015 of complications from her long-time battle with Inclusion Body Myositis. She passed in the comforting familiarity of her own home in Merrimack, NH. Born on April 26, 1930, in Lisbon, New Hampshire, she spent her childhood in her beloved White Mountains of NH. Her parents were Joseph Carbonneau and Yvonne (Therrien). She graduated from Lisbon High School as Class Valedictorian. Theresa joined the Class of ’52 as an English major at University of New Hampshire in Durham. College is where Theresa became “Terry” to differentiate with several other students with the same first name. She considered her major life-changing moment to be when she and Richard Dussault joined their lives in marriage in May of 1951. In a matter of months, Terry would jump into a new exciting world as an Air Force Officer’s wife, an adventure of nine years. One highlight of her work experience was working as the Armed Forces Special Weapons Facility Technical Librarian in Albuquerque, New Mexico. This top secret work required additional schooling on the subject of nuclear weapons and a “Q” security clearance. Her work outside the home was suspended when the first of four children was born. She felt happiest when she was with her family.
Terry leaves her husband and partner in life, Richard Dussault, to whom she was happily married for 64 years. She leaves her children, David Dussault and his wife, Esther, of Hollis, NH; Mark Dussault and wife, Cere, of Broomfield, CO; Lisa Dussault Marshall and her husband, James, of Merrimack, NH; and Tina Dussault of Meredith, NH. Grandchildren are Christina Dussault, Amelia Marshall, Joseph Marshall, Dyani Dussault and Jeremy Dussault.
Following her nine years of Air Force life, Terry worked for two years as a kindergarten teacher, and then joined her husband’s business venture, Dussault Engineering, in Hudson, NH. As a local businesswoman, she participated in many volunteer organizations, including Zonta International, a women’s professional advocacy organization. She also served on the board of the YWCA and was a member of the Hudson Junior Women’s Club. She worked a dual job in charge of finance and office management at Dussault Engineering for over 20 years.
Terry loved family activities, including skiing in the winter and boating in the summer. Education was a strong priority. Terry was a founding member of the committee that initiated the “Gifted Student Program” at Hudson Memorial School. She was there for the children to cheer and encourage them in their many and diverse interests. Terry became a grandmother at age 60 and with that, she got to rediscover the joys of being a field trip chaperone (albeit at a slower pace) and rooting for her grandchildren. Her hobbies included writing and gardening. She has written a personal memoir to pass on to her grandchildren. Terry also loved traveling with her husband—to China, Hong Kong, Hawaiian Islands, Spain, North Africa, Western Canada, the Maritime Provinces and to the islands off the tip of Florida, as well as visiting 48 out of our 50 states.
Terry was an active contributor to multiple Inclusion Body Myositis Facebook groups through which she inspired and comforted fellow “IBM-ers” worldwide with her wisdom and kindness.
Calling hours will be held at the FARWELL FUNERAL HOME, 18 Lock Street, Nashua on Thursday evening, September 24TH from 6 to 9 p.m. Private interment will take place at the New Hampshire State Veterans Cemetery in Boscawen at a later date.
Memorial arrangements: Terry has been deeply fond of flowers and they are welcomed, if one wishes, (or) a donation to The Myositis Organization in Terry’s memory. Arrangements are in the care of the FARWELL FUNERAL SERVICE. (603) 882-0591. www.farwellfuneral.com
