Teresa Marie Popadak

Our Dear, Sweet Teresa Marie Popadak, at the age of 64, joined the Angels on March 21,
2024, while a resident of Sedgewood Commons, in Falmouth.
She was born in Brunswick, ME on June 16, 1959, the last of six children to Francis and Pearl
Popadak (Nickerson).
Teresa graduated from Pathways in 1977. Teresa belonged to the Daughters of Isabella &
Rosary Society. She lived in Lisbon Falls with her mother until Pearl passed away in 2010. Then she
moved to Maryland to live for 14 years with her sister Gloria and her husband Mickey Klinger; who
took amazing care of her.
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Just to mention a few of the many favorite things of Teresa: she was a member of the Red
Hatters of Lisbon Falls and Bryans Road, Maryland; swimming in the ocean, until she moved to
Maryland and got spoiled by warmer pool water; spaghetti; soap operas; dancing; “Lobstah”;
Candle-pin bowling; Elvis (she had an Elvis impersonator at one of her birthdays); Moxie; Wrestling
(she loved Hulk Hogan whom she said she was going to “Marry Him”); ice cream; Tom Brady & Tiger
Woods; Bingo; her favorite colors were purple & pink; but most of all, she loved being surrounded by
her family.
A special tribute to Teresa from her niece Sara (Popadak) Sloan…We lost Aunt Teresa today,
on World Down Syndrome Day. She was adored by her siblings & whole family. Up until recent years
he had a quick with, amazing memory & silliest personality. She was our family historian. She knew
everyone’s age, birthday, & anniversary…and loved to correct how we spoke about our relations to
one another. If my Dad was speaking about his Mum in front of us, she would correct him, “that’s
Nana to them”. She loved to get a laugh and certainly kept us laughing. She absolutely loved babies
& kissing their “toe toes”. Fortunately for her, this family populated quite a few for her to dote on. She
far surpassed typical life expectancy & lived a healthy life. Unfortunately, dementia & other health
issues crept in & this past fall she moved back to Maine & lived her final months with my dad’s twin
sister Donna & her partner Charlotte, then assisted living. We held our traditional family Christmas
gathering at Sedgewood Commons. Teresa was engaged & truly seemed to know who we were. It
was absolutely precious. Many pictures were taken capturing loving memories. This weekend, Mum
told a story how Teresa was wearing her oxygen mask on her forehead. My sister & I laughed so
hard. That was So Aunt Teresa…she did things her way for as long as she could. She felt so much
love in her life & gave us much joy. Teresa (correction, that’s Aunt Teresa to me) will be very missed.
Teresa was predeceased by her parents, grandparents on both sides of the family and
brothers-in-law Anthony Swan and Mickey Klinger.
She is survived by her four sisters; Gloria Klinger of Maryland, Peggy Swan of Auburn, Donna
Popadak & partner Charlotte of Harpswell, Nancy Redman & husband Joe of Corinna; & brother
Deacon Dennis Popadak & wife Beverly of Gray; along with a beloved aunt, many cousins, nieces &
great nieces, nephews & great nephews, caring friends, & neighbors.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at Holy Trinity Church, 40 Frost Hill Avenue, Lisbon
Falls, ME on Monday, April 8, 2024 at 1:00PM, immediately followed by her burial at St. Cyril &
Methodius Cemetery.
The family sincerely thanks the medical personnel & staff at Sedgewood Commons in
Falmouth for the comfort and support they provided Teresa, while she was in their care.
In lieu of flowers, a donation may be made to the Maine Special Olympics.

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