Obituary of Theresa Machat

Just shy of her 80th birthday, Theresa Machat (née Ouellet) died peacefully on the dawn of summer at Clinton View Lodge.

Theresa was loved deeply by her parents, Mary and Frank Ouellet, by her siblings Patrick (Lorraine) and Marshall (Jackie), her children Steve (Jan) and Noel, her grandchildren Hannah, Kiera, Noah and Keigan, her extended family from coast to coast and all of her special PEI cousins.

At the age of 27, Theresa suffered a brain aneurysm that certainly altered the whole family’s life but not Theresa’s zest for living. She loved life - oh YES! She found joy in the simplest pleasures, whether she was dancing with the Notre Dame club, savoring a cold beer and lobster with her cousins, winning at Bingo or sharing a smoke with a friend on the deck. Her capacity for gratitude was contagious; a Tim Horton’s coffee made her day, a scratch ticket win was euphoric and a “Bingo!” shout was a riot. She was a social butterfly, and never forgot a person, introducing people she had met to her family wherever she traveled. 

Theresa was fiercely proud of her two sons, “Stevie” and “Noelly” and the legacy Theresa has left behind is this: resilience, joy, and a reminder to find happiness in the little things. Her example of smiling for every visitor who popped in to say hello, her capacity to light up with joy for a card in the mail, her lot in life that made it essential for family to learn to be compassionate and kind. We will miss her smile, the swinging of her hips and her, “Oh laa laa, Elvis!”

Thank you to the amazing and dedicated healthcare professionals at Prince County Hospital and Clinton View Lodge for always extending compassion to Theresa and taking the time to understand her wishes and preferences. Theresa enjoyed new and old friendships at Notre Dame Place - thank you for creating a safe and accepting place to be understood, to laugh and to belong. To Theresa’s wonderful extended family at Parkhill, words will never match the caring, welcoming and loving home you provided over the years. We are eternally grateful.

Cremation has taken place. Funeral service will take place at East Prince Funeral Home in Summerside on Monday, June 24th at 10:30 am followed by interment in St. Paul’s cemetery. A reception to follow at St.Paul’s church hall.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Theresa’s memory can be made to the Notre Dame Place Clubhouse, 67 Duke St. Suite 11, Summerside, PEI, C1N 3R9