In the early hours of Thursday, February 11th, Theresa's hard-fought, 16-month battle against cancer came to an end. Surrounded by her loving family, she peacefully departed this earthly life and joined her beautiful son, Samuel in heaven.
Theresa was born on November 24, 1971, to Anthony and Nicolina Rachiele of 55 Glenn Drive, Pittsfield. She attended schools in Pittsfield, and was a graduate of Pittsfield High School, class of 1989. She furthered her education by graduating from Pima Medical Institute in Mesa, Arizona. After moving back to the Berkshires from Arizona in 2000, Theresa continued working in the medical field. Most recently, she was employed for the last 12 years as a scheduling specialist for Berkshire Hematology and Oncology, which recently merged with Berkshire Health Systems. Prior to working with cancer patients, she was employed by Family Practice Associates of Pittsfield.
In addition to her parents, Theresa leaves behind her husband, Matthew P. McGovern, whom she married on May 23, 1998 at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church. She also leaves a son, Timothy A. McGovern, age 16. Additionally, she leaves behind her brothers, Sam Rachiele and wife Pam of Pittsfield, as well as Bruno Rachiele and his wife Amy, also of Pittsfield. She also leaves behind her mother-in-law, Sandra McGovern of Hinsdale, sister-in-law, Gina McGovern of Hinsdale and her brother-in-law, Brian McGovern, of Lenox, her two nephews, Anthony Rachiele and Cody Tynan, and nieces Ava Rachiele and Emily Tynan. She leaves her beloved aunt, Maria DiNicola, as well as numerous other aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many loving friends.
Theresa's greatest loves were her two sons and she was truly a wonderful mother. She enjoyed trips to the beach with her friends and family members. She was very dependable, hard-working person who held great concern and compassion for the cancer patients with whom she worked. Furthermore, she enjoyed and appreciated all the love her co-workers, friends and former patients showed during her illness. The family sincerely thanks all of these people as well as so many others who prayed for her and cared for her. We also thank the amazing people at Hospice of the Berkshires for their compassion, help and expertise.
Theresa had a beautiful smile and will be so greatly missed. We find some consolation in knowing she is no longer suffering at the hands of this terrible disease, and is peacefully reunited with her younger son, Samuel, who predeceased her on August 3, 2011 at the age of 8.

FUNERAL NOTICE: Funeral services for Theresa M. McGovern, 44, of Pittsfield who died February 11, 2016 will be held Monday at 9:15 AM from the DERY FUNERAL HOME, in Pittsfield, followed by a Liturgy of Christian Buria1 at St. Joseph's Church in Pittsfield celebrated by Rev. Msgr. Michael A. Shershanovich, Pastor. Burial will take place on April 25, 2016 on her son Samuel's birthday at a time to be announced. Calling hours will be SUNDAY from 4:00 until 7:00 PM at the funeral home. In lieu of flowers the family request that memorial donations in Theresa's memory be made to Children's Hospital of Boston or the Berkshire County Jimmy Fund in care of the funeral home.

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