Topsham — Theresa M Belanye, 79, of Topsham passed away peacefully on Wednesday, November 23 at the Freeport Nursing Center in Freeport. She was born in Anson, Maine on November 20, 1932, the daughter of Andrew J and Annie ( Labun) Sabol. She grew up in Anson and graduated from Madison High School class of 1950. After graduation, Theresa ventured to Springfield, MA and worked for Milton Bradley Corp. for a short time before returning back home to Maine.

She married Michael E. Belanye Jr in 1955 and the couple made their home in Topsham to raise their four children. Nothing was more important to Theresa than her family, she made sure she was home for them. As her children grew up, she returned to work for a short time at Auerbach Shoe’s and Cottle’s Supermarket. She also taught CCD at St. Andrew’s Parish.

Theresa was a lady with a heart, she saw beauty in everything. Gardening was a passion of hers, as she spent many summer hours tending to her flowers. Picking blueberries was another favorite thing of hers and spending time with the family at her former cottage in Harpswell. Theresa enjoyed playing the piano for her family as well as playing the organ in her church.

Theresa lived with bipolar illness throughout her life. She learned to manage her condition and led a happy and fulfilled life. Anyone wishing to make a donation in Theresa’s name please do so to; National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI) of Maine, Memorial Donation, 1 Bangor Street, Augusta, Maine 04330.

Theresa is predeceased by her husband of fifty years Michael

E. Belanye Jr; a son, Michael D. Belanye; and a brother, Andrew Sabol.

She leaves behind three daughters, MaryAnn Methvin and her husband Michael of Wales, Valerie Gamache and her husband Michael of Freeport, and Jane Belanye of Topsham; 4 brothers, Stephen Sabol of Culpeper, VA, Richard Sabol of Madison, Francis Sabol of Anson, Bernard of Madison; a sister, Evelyn Sabol of Topsham; grandchildren, Michael, Terijo, Sarah, Alyssa, Andrew, Emily, Andrea, Kimberly and Paula.

Visiting hours will be held on Monday, November 28th from 5:00 – 7:00pm at Demers- Desmond Funeral Home, 34 Cushing Street, Brunswick. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Tuesday, November 29th at St. Jude’s Church in Freeport, Maine at 11:00am. If you would like to share your thoughts and condolences with Theresa’s family please visit www.desmondfuneralhomes.com.