Madeline M. Theriault,  affectionately known as Mad, Mom, Ma, Memere, Ma Tante, by her loved ones, passed away at her residence at 52 Elm Street, Waterville, Maine on January 4, 2026 at 12:05 a.m.  She was surrounded by all her 8 living children and family members.  Mom’s whole life was dedicated to FAMILY.  Her heart, full of love and warmth,  gave out after 96 remarkable years.

Madeline was born on July 27,1929 in the quaint town of St Agathe, Maine.  Madeline’s years were marked by a deep appreciation for the simple joys of life and for hard work.  She had a strong sense of resilience, never GIVE UP attitude, with her deep love for family, God and country throughout her life.

Mom only went to the sixth grade.  Her parents moved her a lot, and she hated school because she went to a school that spoke English and she only understood French.  Her parents consented to her quitting school and staying home to take care of her sister, Doris, and the rest of the children as they came along.  Being a caregiver and homemaker is the true definition of Mom’s whole being. 

She was predeceased by her husband, Ernest Theriault, her infant son, Michael, elder sons Philip and Robert;  also her Dad & Mom, Leonide (Sr) and Mabel Michaud, her sisters Doris (Huey) Jandreau and Geneva Waceken-Cochran & 1 brother Leonide (Jr) (Marilyn) Michaud, several brothers & sisters-in-law, aunts, uncles, nephews, nieces and more.  Also her daughters-in-law Mary Madeline Thibouthot-Theriault, Brenda Theriault, Pam Stairs-Theriault, Janet Theriault & Sandy Theriault.

She is survived by her 4 sons, Stanley Theriault, Waterville, ME, Roger Theriault & very special friend  Rhonda Rugan, Gardiner, ME; Ronnie Theriault & fiancée Ashley Saunders, Steep Falls, ME and Danny (Betty) Theriault, Fairfield, ME; her 4 daughters Judy (Steve) Lizzotte, Winslow, ME; Joyce (Ed) Mooers, Clinton; Sandra Theriault, Fairfield, ME; and Laurie Theriault and her significant other Dana Weeks, Skowhegan, ME.  Also a very special ex-son-in-law, Ralph Routhier, Sidney; and daughter-in-law, Melody Theriault, Texas; her 21 grandchildren who she adored so much as well as her WAY too many to count great-grandchildren and great-great-grandchildren; her sister Linda Michaud-Shorey, Winslow, ME; nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, in-laws, friends who composed mostly of her children’s friends.  Her playfulness and warm, sympathetic ear made her home a well-known haven of comfort and love. 

Throughout her life, Madeline “Mom”  was devoted to her family and the countless lives she touched.  Her role as “Mom” extended far beyond her own family.  She had an uncanny ability to make everyone feel special and loved.

Madeline’s Catholic funeral mass will be on Saturday, January 17, 11 a.m. at Corpus Christi Parish/Notre Dame Church, 116 Silver Street, Waterville, ME.  Arrangements are under the care of Direct Cremation of Maine, Belfast.  We are so pleased with their professionalism and assistance in making this hard time much easier to plan.  Her interment and burial service will take place in the spring on Monday, May 11th at noon at Maine Veterans Memorial Cemetery, 143 Blue Star Avenue, Augusta, ME 04330 for family only.  This will be the completion of Mom’s final wishes.  She will be laid to rest beside the love of her life, her husband, Ernest Theriault.  She has been waiting for this reunion with our DAD for a LONG, LONG time. 

Memorial donations may be made in her memory to Northern Light Home Care & Hospice of Maine, 43 Whitley Hill Road, 2nd Floor, Brewer, ME 04412.  Our family would like to thank them for granting another of her final wishes thus enabling her to remain at her home to the very end.  We truly and honestly could not have done this without the special, attentive, kind and loving help of Sherie, Wendy, Ericka, Karen and numerous others throughout this long and, at many times, heartbreaking journey.  You were and are a Godsend to our family. We will NEVER forget any of you.

MOM, you are and were our Whole Life.  We are who we are because of you and Dad.  We hope you are proud.  It will be close to impossible to go on without you because you were such a HUGE part of all our lives - our Matriarch.  But through God’s love, we will be okay.  You were stubborn and oh so tough with the “I won’t go down without a fight” determination.  May God wrap you in his arms, comfort you and put you back into the arms of the ONE man you loved and longed for – our DAD.

Mom will be profoundly missed by all who were fortunate enough to know her.  As we bid her farewell, we take solace in the memories she leaves behind, the lessons she imparted and the gentle reminder to always embrace life with open arms and an open heart and God at your side.  Her spirit will endure for all those she loved and will continue to guide and inspire us in all our days to come.  R.I.P. MOM