Bellmedia A. (Souza) Theodore

Bellmedia "Bella" A. (Souza) Theodore, 93, of Mansfield Avenue, Norton; formerly of Kelley Boulevard, North Attleboro, died on Thursday, May 31, 2012 at the Epoch Senior Healthcare of Norton following a period of declining health. She was the wife of the late Ernest Joseph Theodore who died in 1981. Born in Attleboro, Massachusetts on March 17, 1919, she was a daughter of the late John and Rose (Alves) Souza. She was raised and educated in Attleboro where she resided until moving to North Attleboro where she lived for most of her life until recently moving to Norton. A fixture on the once bustling retail scene in the City of Attleboro, Mrs. Theodore worked for numerous retail establishments including Brown's Department Store, MARS Department Store, New York Lace Store, Big Ben's Department Store and most notably for Claire's Casuals for 17 years prior to her retirement at the age of 87. She was a communicant of St. Mark Roman Catholic Church in the Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Many years ago, Mrs. Theodore was a member of the Holy Ghost Women's Auxiliary. Her greatest joy was when she surrounded herself in the company of her loving family. She leaves a daughter: Patricia A. (Theodore) Cotterill of Norton; a daughter-in-law: Carol Ann (Smith) Theodore of North Attleboro; three grandchildren: Scott M. Cotterill, Sr. of Norton; Christopher M. Cotterill and his fiancé, Kristy Burdo, in Vermont and Heather J. (Theodore) Crowley and her husband, Michael F. Crowley, III, of Wrentham; five great grandchildren: Christopher L. Cotterill in Florida; Scott M. Cotterill, Jr. of Norton; Devin W. Cotterill of Norton; Michael F. Crowley IV of Wrentham and Campbell Crowley of Wrentham; a sister: Irene Teixeira of Castro Valley, California; two sisters-in-law: Felicia Souza of Cape Coral, Florida and Irene Souza of Attleboro and several nieces, nephews and extended family members. She was the mother of the late Thomas John Theodore and James L. Theodore. She was the sister of the late John Souza, Seraphim "Taffy" Souza, Mary Aveiro, Julia Townsend and Florence LePage. Family and friends are cordially invited to attend visitation on Saturday, June 9, 2012 from 8:30 - 9:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. Relatives and friends are cordially invited to attend the funeral service immediately following visitation on Saturday, June 9, 2012 at 9:00 AM in the "Memorial Chapel" of Dyer-Lake Funeral Home - the national historic Colonel Obed Robinson Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue (exit 5 off I-95 N or S, go right at end of ramp, mile on left), Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro with the Rev. Victor Chaupetta, M.S. of the National Shrine of Our Lady of LaSallette, Park Street, Attleboro, officiating. Burial will be private in St. Stephen's Cemetery, Attleboro. Children's room available during visitation and the funeral service. Following funeral services an invitation will be extended to join the family for a time of continued fellowship, refreshments and remembrance at a location to be announced. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Dyer-Lake Charitable Foundation, Inc., a registered 501 (c) 3 organization, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, North Attleboro, MA 02760. To send the family an expression of sympathy, please visit an online guest book at www.dyer-lakefuneralhome.com . Arrangements are under the direction of the Dyer-Lake Funeral Home, 161 Commonwealth Avenue, Village of Attleboro Falls, North Attleboro. (508) 695-0200.