Theresa M. Bjorlin

Theresa M. Bjorlin passed away peacefully in Stamford, Connecticut on August 15 at the age of 90.

Theresa is survived by her beloved husband of 69 years, Roy Bjorlin, of Fairfield; her son Roy and his wife Lenore of Fairfield; her daughter MaryLynne Tarantino of Fairfield; five grandchildren, Louis Tarantino, Melissa Tarantino, Roy Bjorlin (Courtney), Erica Serrano (William) and Heather Erickson (John); eight great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces and nephews. She is predeceased by her parents, her eight brothers and sisters, and her beloved son-in-law, Louis Tarantino.

Theresa was born on February 6, 1935 in Ludlow, Mass. The daughter of Frank and Maria Pereira, the family moved to Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1950. Theresa graduated from Central High School in Bridgeport, Connecticut in 1953. She met and married Roy W. Bjorlin on September 24, 1955, celebrating their wedding in St. Augustine Cathedral in Bridgeport, Connecticut.

Theresa worked at the retailer Kresge as a clerk for more than 20 years while she raised her children. Theresa loved being “Grandma” and “Ma” and found deep and lasting joy in her family and her home. She was proud of her Portuguese heritage and thoughtfully passed the stories and traditions onto her family. Theresa and Roy visited Portugal with their children several times, making a pilgrimage to Fatima in 1969. Theresa’s hospitality, warmth and strength grounded the family in love, whether it was making the traditional Folar de Chaves Easter bread together or gifting the special holiday wreaths she crafted. She and her husband enjoyed vacationing in Daytona, Florida, Atlantic City, NJ, and spending time with their children and grandchildren at their home in Connecticut.

She will be dearly missed by all who were privileged to be loved by her. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at Saint Thomas Aquinas Church, 1719 Post Road, Fairfield, Thursday, August 21 at 10 a.m. Relatives and friends are invited.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Theresa’s name may be made to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America https://alzfdn.org/donate/.