Theresa R. (Smith) Cahoone

Theresa Rena (Smith) Cahoone, of Manchester Circle, Coventry, RI, widow of Gordon E. Cahoone Sr., passed away peacefully in hospice care at the age of 80 with her oldest grandchild Katie by her side. Theresa has begun her new journey with the good Lord guiding her way as she reunites with her heavenly family.

Born on September 19, 1936, Theresa was the second of eight children born to the late Theodore Noe “Chippy” and Rena (Trudeau) Smith in the Clyde Section of West Warwick.

Theresa graduated from West Warwick High School in 1954, and worked for several years at the Food Counter in JJ Newbury’s in Arctic. She married Gordon Cahoone on September 17, 1955 at First Baptist Church and they started their family. She waited for them to be school age before going back to work. Theresa had been an active participant of the First Baptist Church for over 60 years. She was employed at the former Leviton Manufacturing Plant on Jefferson Boulevard as a Machine Operator and then as a Warehouse Fork Lift Driver for over 25 years until her retirement. She also worked at the Kent County Daily Times “Flying the Press” and also as an inserter for many years.

Theresa enjoyed many hobbies, playing Bingo, crossword puzzles, sewing, making doll clothes, crocheting, knitting, hooking rugs, listening to music and playing the organ. In her younger years, she played the piano and enjoyed many boating outings with her family. When her eye sight started to decline, she became quite the artist at the age of 79; her newest hobby, coloring. She enjoyed sitting outside chatting with her friends and neighbors.

She was strong willed and a very feisty lady, always telling you the way it was until the day she passed away. Her legacy in life, independence and forthrightness, will forever live on within all her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. She wants to be remembered with fondness and good times and not with tears. She lived each day her way and left the world her way; strong and feisty right to the end.

Theresa is survived by her seven children and their spouses: Orrin M. Cahoone Sr. of Exeter, Deborah L. (Michael) Siekiera of East Windsor, CT, Karen A. Desiata of West Warwick, Joyce M. (Curtis) Rookstool of West Warwick, Gordon E. (Pamela) Cahoone Jr. of Lisbon Falls, Maine, Terri A. (Jerry) Cruz of Haines City, Florida, and William A. (Tabitha Brusoe) Cahoone of West Warwick, seventeen grandchildren; Katherine P. Siekiera, Orrin M. (Chenoa Morris) Cahoone Jr., Thomas D. (Brittney DeJesus) Cahoone , Beth (Christopher) Siekiera Walker, Kristina L. (Mark Woods) Rookstool, Gordon E. Cahoone III, Mathew S. Rookstool, Alexander J. Desiata, Nathaniel C. (Felicia Cooke) Rookstool, Brian J. Cahoone, Daniel R. Desiata, Zachary A. (Jackie) Siekiera, Nicholas H. (Corinne Audet) Rookstool, Amelia K. Desiata, Ethan I. Rookstool, Rebecca L. Desiata and Jessica L. Cahoone, fourteen great grandchildren; Gabriella J. Orrin M. III, and Sofia R., and Garrett Cahoone, Anthony M. and Aiden E. Siekiera, Jeffrey D., Robert C., Wyatt J. and Patrick W. Desiata, Serenity R., Amber L. and Izabella Rayne Rookstool-Woods, Savannah R. and Nevaeh A. Rookstool, and two new great children to be born this year.

Theresa is survived by two sisters, Jeannette A. (Smith) Dennett of Pawcatuck, CT., Victoria E. (Smith) Williams of Ruckersville, VA., and one brother, Arthur W. Smith of Clarksville, TN, former daughter-in-law, Susan Cahoone Lane and former son-in-law, David Gehrken, along with many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Besides her husband Gordon and parents, she is predeceased by her brothers; Theodore W (“Ted”) Smith Sr., Alfred F. (“Al”/”Fred”) Smith, John L. (“Smitty”) Smith and one sister, Lydia A. (“Miss Lydia”) (Smith) Discuillo.

A Memorial Service will be held at the First Baptist Church, 1613 Main Street, West Warwick, Rhode Island (Crompton) on Saturday, February 18th at 11:00 am. At Theresa’s wishes, burial will be private with only her children laying her to rest at the Woodland Cemetery in Coventry.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the following:

First Baptist Church of West Warwick
1613 Main Street
West Warwick, RI 02893

Hope Hospice & Palliative Care Rhode Island
1085 North Main Street
Providence, RI 02904

For online condolences please visit www.gortonmenardfuneralhome.com

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