WESTBROOK — Theresa Leda Martin Gouzie, 93, a longtime resident of Westbrook, passed away on Friday, July 22, 2011 at St. Joseph’s Manor in Portland.

She was the eldest daughter of Cleophas and Amanda (Francoeur) Martin, born in Westbrook on Dec. 9, 1917. She attended St. Hyacinth School and throughout her life was a devoted and faithful communicant of the former St. Hyacinth Church.

Theresa’s life was dedicated to her family and to her faith in God. She married her husband Robert after a two-year courtship and maintained a loving marriage for 51 years until his death in 1991. During that time, she raised seven children and her most important achievements in life were being a good mother and creating a close and loving family.

Theresa was a gentle and quiet lady who lived her life with grace and poise and met everyone with a smile that expressed her kind heart. She worked hard all her life and in times of despair, she carried on with strength and determination and a faith in God that he would help her through the difficult times. Family and creating a warm and loving home were her pride and joy in life from the weekly Sunday gatherings at her house with all of her children and their families to enjoying a peaceful view of a sunset with her husband Robert. She was a remarkable woman who will be cherished always by the loving family she created.

She is survived by four daughters, Doris Featherson of Westbrook, Priscilla Boulanger of Falmouth, Pauline Rendall of Casco and Diane Bruns of Portland; two sons, Roger of Windham and John of Westbrook; a brother, Leo Martin of California; a sister, Cecile Phillips of Florida; nine grandchildren; eight great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband Robert; a son, Donald; a sister, Rita Arsenault; and a brother, Omer Martin.

A Mass of Christian Burial was celebrated at St. Anthony’s of Padua on Brown Street in Westbrook on Monday, July 25. Burial immediately followed in St. Hyacinth Cemetery on Stroudwater Street in Westbrook. Arrangements are by the Dolby Funeral Chapel, Windham. For online condolences, please visit their website at www.dolbyfuneralchapels.com.

In appreciation of Theresa’s final wishes, in lieu of flowers, the family asks that a prayer be said in her memory.