Obituary for Theresa Murphy Crosby
East Millinocket - Theresa Murphy Crosby went peacefully to her Lord and Savior on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Katahdin Health Care in Millinocket. She was a faithful woman of God who found joy in helping others.
Theresa was born on May 23, 1928 in Millinocket and was proud to have grown up in Little Italy. There she developed her appreciation for Italian food and accumulated a wealth of stories. She graduated from Stearns High School in 1946. After graduation she was briefly employed as a governess in New York City before returning to Millinocket and working at the J.J. Newberry department store where she met her future husband, Sheldon Crosby. They built their home and raised their family in East Millinocket. Theresa was an exemplary homemaker, cook, mother, and wife. She was particularly known for her baked beans, bread, and meatballs. She was active in community activities, including the East Millinocket Extension Service, the Girl Scouts, and church. Theresa loved yard sales and frequently went with Sheldon and her sister Florence. Countless people benefited from her finds.
Theresa is survived by her daughter Mary DeSantis of East Millinocket and son Frank Crosby of Indian Purchase Township. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jessica Crosby and her partner Eric Granfors of Nashua, NH; Paul Mark DeSantis and his wife Michelle and their children Caleb, Brody, Thomas, and Peyton of East Millinocket; David Crosby and his wife Robyn and their children Dean and Isla of Lebanon, NH, Jared DeSantis and partner Kasey Rossignol of South Portland; and Stephanie Crosby and husband Zakaria Allaf of Biddeford. Born into a large family, she is survived by siblings Mary “June” Martin, Charles Murphy and wife Gloria, and William Murphy all of Millinockeet. Also sisters-in-law Mary Murphy of Lincoln and Rhonda Murphy of Millinocket who kept Theresa supplied with fudge and date filled molasses cookies in her last years. She is also survived by special sisters-in-law Colleen Williams and husband George of Lisbon, CT and Mary Rose Murphy of Ooltewah, TN .
Theresa was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Sheldon Crosby, her son Sheldon Crosby Jr., and her son-in-law Paul DeSantis. She was also predeceased by her parents John and Mary Murphy as well as siblings Lewis Murphy, Ella Rollins, John Murphy, Rose Burleigh, Catherine Wright, Virginia Ricci, Florence Gonya, Robert Murphy, and Ernest Murphy. She was also predeceased by special friend and neighbor Betty Dentremont.
The family is very grateful to the entire staff at Katahdin Health Care, who provided love and exemplary care. Special thanks to staff member Kathy Oullette who always called Theresa “Lovie”.
The funeral service will be private with interment in the spring. Donations in Theresa’s name may be directed to the Activity Fund at Katahdin Health Care, 22 Walnut St, Millinocket, ME 04462. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket.
Theresa was born on May 23, 1928 in Millinocket and was proud to have grown up in Little Italy. There she developed her appreciation for Italian food and accumulated a wealth of stories. She graduated from Stearns High School in 1946. After graduation she was briefly employed as a governess in New York City before returning to Millinocket and working at the J.J. Newberry department store where she met her future husband, Sheldon Crosby. They built their home and raised their family in East Millinocket. Theresa was an exemplary homemaker, cook, mother, and wife. She was particularly known for her baked beans, bread, and meatballs. She was active in community activities, including the East Millinocket Extension Service, the Girl Scouts, and church. Theresa loved yard sales and frequently went with Sheldon and her sister Florence. Countless people benefited from her finds.
Theresa is survived by her daughter Mary DeSantis of East Millinocket and son Frank Crosby of Indian Purchase Township. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jessica Crosby and her partner Eric Granfors of Nashua, NH; Paul Mark DeSantis and his wife Michelle and their children Caleb, Brody, Thomas, and Peyton of East Millinocket; David Crosby and his wife Robyn and their children Dean and Isla of Lebanon, NH, Jared DeSantis and partner Kasey Rossignol of South Portland; and Stephanie Crosby and husband Zakaria Allaf of Biddeford. Born into a large family, she is survived by siblings Mary “June” Martin, Charles Murphy and wife Gloria, and William Murphy all of Millinockeet. Also sisters-in-law Mary Murphy of Lincoln and Rhonda Murphy of Millinocket who kept Theresa supplied with fudge and date filled molasses cookies in her last years. She is also survived by special sisters-in-law Colleen Williams and husband George of Lisbon, CT and Mary Rose Murphy of Ooltewah, TN .
Theresa was predeceased by her husband of 67 years Sheldon Crosby, her son Sheldon Crosby Jr., and her son-in-law Paul DeSantis. She was also predeceased by her parents John and Mary Murphy as well as siblings Lewis Murphy, Ella Rollins, John Murphy, Rose Burleigh, Catherine Wright, Virginia Ricci, Florence Gonya, Robert Murphy, and Ernest Murphy. She was also predeceased by special friend and neighbor Betty Dentremont.
The family is very grateful to the entire staff at Katahdin Health Care, who provided love and exemplary care. Special thanks to staff member Kathy Oullette who always called Theresa “Lovie”.
The funeral service will be private with interment in the spring. Donations in Theresa’s name may be directed to the Activity Fund at Katahdin Health Care, 22 Walnut St, Millinocket, ME 04462. Arrangements are by Lamson Funeral Home, Millinocket.