Theresa P. Amaral, 82, formerly of Market Street in Warren, R.I., died peacefully in her sleep on Monday, Feb. 14, 2013 at Roberts Health Center in North Kingstown, after a year of declining health.
Born in Bristol to Joseph and Marion (Sousa) Perry in 1930, she was a self-described tomboy who enjoyed roller skating, playing baseball, ice skating, swimming plus fishing and gardening with her father.
On Feb. 19, 1955 she married Albert A. Amaral of Warren. For over 40 years she served as bookkeeper for the family business, Amaral’s Radio and Television. While raising their two daughters, June and Shirley, she was busy sewing, knitting, crocheting and decorating birthday cakes.
Once her children were grown, she and Al enjoyed traveling to visit their grandchildren and she became very active in New Hope Christian Church, serving in a variety of ways. In 2005 the family celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary.
After the death of her husband in 2008 she moved to East Bay Manor in East Providence in 2010, where she made new friends with both residents and staff. Failing health necessitated a move to a nursing home last summer.
She was predeceased by her parents, her brothers Edward and Alfred Perry of California. She leaves her sister Rita Almeida and her husband Benjamin of Bristol; sister Veronica Schmeller of Bristol; Beatrice Seavey and her husband Barry of North Kingstown and many nieces and nephews. She also leaves behind daughter June O’Donal and husband Wayne and children Timothy and Perry of Maine and daughter Shirley Perrine and husband John, and children Johnny and Joanna of West Virginia.
A celebration of her life will be held at New Hope Christian Church, 1436 GAR Highway in Swansea, Mass. on Saturday, March 9 at 4 p.m.