Theresa DiCenzo

Theresa (Berube) DiCenzo, 89, a lifelong resident of Lawrence, MA, passed away peacefully on Saturday, May 23, 2020, at Whitter Rehabilitation Hospital in Bradford, MA, after a brief period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Joseph DiCenzo, with whom she shared fifty-one wonderful years in marriage. Born and raised in Lawrence, she was the daughter of Alice (Rondeau) and Arthur Berube and was educated in the Lawrence School System.

Theresa first met her sweetheart, Joseph, at the age of 17 and shortly thereafter they married, and remained in Lawrence to raise their family. She truly loved her job as a stay-at-home wife and mother to provide for them, and in doing so, created the most wonderful memories. In her free time, Theresa enjoyed knitting, crocheting, playing the organ, and caring for her pets over the years. She was a loyal lover of all animals and would consistently donate to the Humane Society on their behalf. An active woman throughout her life, Theresa lived an independent life at home and even enjoyed mowing her lawn, which she did up until the age of 88. She was particularly proud of her ability to remain independent up to the last weeks of her life.

In addition to her husband Joseph, who was taken from her nearly twenty years ago, Theresa was predeceased by her siblings, Arthur Berube, Leo Berube, Paul Berube, and Cecile Kelley; son-in-law, Manuel Leal; and sister-in-law, Joanne Berube.

Theresa is survived by her children, Joseph DiCenzo and his wife Irene of Surprise, AZ, Diane Norton and her partner Herve Dube of Haverhill, MA, Gary DiCenzo and his partner Lynn Larson of Hampton, NH, and Karen Leal of Lawrence; grandchildren, Tina, Ryan, Mindy, Kevin, Jennifer, and Lauren; nine great-grandchildren; siblings, Jeannette Berube, Raymond Berube and his wife Gerrie of North Andover, Henry Berube and his wife Rose of Methuen, and Jay Berube of ME; and many nieces and nephews.

A memorial mass will be celebrated at 11:00 AM on Thursday, September 3, 2020 at St. Lucy Church, 254 Merrimack Street in Methuen.** Due to COVID-19 guidelines, face-masks will be required to enter the church and social distancing must be followed. If you have an underlying condition of concern, please do not attend. Our family will feel your love and support, and will respect your decision.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Theresa’s memory may be made to the Lowell Humane Society, 951 Broadway, Lowell, MA 01854.