Theresa Underwood

Theresa Underwood 1936-2009   INDIAN ORCHARD- Theresa "Teddy" (Schuhlen) Underwood, 72, passed away on Friday, July 3, 2009 in Renaissance Manor Nursing Home, Westfield. She was born in Manhattan, NY, on August 30, 1936, a daughter of the late Richard P. and Aldine (Daigle) Schuhlen. Theresa attended school in Springfield and graduated from Cathedral High School. She was an Information Telephone Operator for the former New England Telephone and retired after 25 years of service. She was an avid reader and loved gardening, sewing, knitting, needlepoint, quilting, and crocheting. Theresa was a member of the New England Telephone Pioneers Association where she headed up the Hug-A-Bear program, a group who made teddy bears given to hundreds of children across the region by police and firemen in emergency situations. A member of the former St. Mathews and St. Aloysius Parishes, Theresa was heavily engaged in many programs, raising money to help those in need. She also gave back to the community she lived in for so many years through the many offices she held for the Lake Lorraine Civic Association. Theresa was predeceased by her loving husband of 49 years, Richard H. Underwood on December 13, 2004, and her brother, Peter Schuhlen. Theresa will be missed dearly by five daughters, Debra Wojcik and her husband Joseph of Westfield, Brenda Premont of Ludlow, Ann Underwood of Westfield, Sandra Roberge and her husband Paul of Belchertown, and Mary Underwood of Chicopee; four grandchildren, Jason, Bailey, Justin, and Jennifer; a sister, Linda M. Bajumpaa of Springfield; and her nieces, nephews and extended family members. A funeral home service will be held on Thursday July 9th at 10 a.m. in the Ratell Funeral Home, 200 Main St., Indian Orchard with Rites of Committal and burial to follow in Gate of Heaven Cemetery, Tinkham Rd., Springfield. Theresa's family will receive relatives and friends at the visiting hours on Wednesday July 8th from 4-8 p.m. at the funeral home. Memorial contributions may be made in Theresa's memory to the Alzheimer's Association, 264 Cottage St., Springfield, MA 01104.  For those who wish, floral expressions of sympathy are also welcome. For directions or online guestbook, please visit www.ratellfuneralhome.com .