Theresa Palleria DeVoe, age 94, of Winter Haven, Florida, passed away Monday, July 10, 2017, at her home, in her favorite chair, with her loving family by her side. Her funeral service was held at 11 AM, Saturday, July 15, 2017, at First United Methodist Church in Huron. Burial was in the Riverside Cemetery.
A memorial service will be held at 3 PM Saturday, July 15th at the Swiss Tennis and Golf Clubhouse in Winter Haven, Florida.
Theresa Blair was born on July 7, 1923, to Arthur and Blanche (Belair) Blair at Shelburne, Vermont.
Theresa began singing professionally at age fourteen. At the age of sixteen, she and her sister Peggy began performing on stage and radio. Theresa later joined with two other girls and performed as the Lone Star Girls. After one year together, Antonio J. Palleria joined the group, which was then renamed Three Queens and a Jack. She sang with the Mattatuck College Choir and the Happy Timers and in Florida with the Lake Henry Carolers.
In 1941, Theresa married Antonio Palleria. When their six children were all old enough, they started a family singing group. There were many people in the New England area that were entertained by the Palleria Family.
Theresa was an extremely successful Avon Products salesperson for many years. She was ranked as one of the top ten salespersons in the United States more than once, which resulted in numerous trips and prizes, including a trip to Portugal.
Theresa served as a member of the Town Council at Watertown, Connecticut. She was also a member of the Parks and Recreation Commission and the Jury Committee.She served as Registrar of Voters for fourteen years.
Theresa was very active with the Democratic Women for many years. She had served as president of the Watertown, Connecticut Democratic Women's Club for four years and was a member of the Litchfield County Democratic Women's Club for four years. She had also served on the board of directors for the Connecticut State Federation of Democratic Women and was invited to have tea at the White House with U.S. President Jimmy Carter and Mrs. Carter.
In 1997, Theresa married William "Bill" DeVoe.
She was preceded in death by her parents; her first husband, Antonio J. Palleria; her second husband, William DeVoe; two daughters, Anna Marie Palleria and Elizabeth DeSanto; one son, Robert Palleria; three brothers, Arthur A., Arnold and Ernest Blair; and one sister, Peggy Hinds.
Grateful for having shared in her life are her children, Antonio J. Palleria of Huron, Frank (Christine) Palleria of Huron, Joseph (Julie) Palleria of East Hadden, Connecticut, Gina (Mark) LaFreniere of Winter Haven, Florida and Marie-Elena (Phil) Armatino of Oakville, Connecticut; one daughter-in-law, Lynne Palleria of Connecticut; 14 grandchildren; 27 great-grandchildren; and two sisters, Gladys Commo and Ruth Commo, both of Vermont.