Theresa Marie (Goushakjian) Gillikin

Theresa Marie Gillikin, 94, of Providence, RI, passed away June 3, 2023 at the Steere House Nursing Home.  

Born in Providence, RI on September 25, 1928, she was the youngest of 3, born to Moses and Anoosh Goushakjian, both Armenians, who immigrated to the US during the Armenian Genocide in the early 1900s.

She was the baby sister to the late Virginia Ruth Caldarone who passed in 1972 at the young age of 48, and her brother, Steven, who was killed in Europe during WW2 at the young age of only 19.

She is survived by her 1st born daughter, Virginia Gillikin, named after her sister, of New York City who is an attorney there and her youngest son, Steven Gillikin, named after her brother, of Providence who is a Real Estate Broker in RI.

Theresa attended school in Providence and graduated from Central High School.  She then went on to attend some college and study fashion design at the RI School of Design.  Her dream was to be a fashion designer and wanted to travel to Europe to study and work; however, while in high school, she met Durwood Gillikin who was to become her husband.  Woody, as everyone called him, was from Beaufort, NC and was stationed in Quonset Point during the war.  When the war ended, he then attended Central High School where they met and fell in love.  Terry and Woody were married in 1951.  Soon they would have their 1st child, Virginia, in 1952 and their 2nd child, Steven, in 1955.

Terry, as she was called by everyone, was a stay-at-home mom for many years but then took a job working at the Outlet Store in downtown Providence where she worked in different sales positions until the store closed.  She then went on to work as a social worker at St. Martin DePorres Senior Center in Providence, an office assistant at Shassets Automotive Store and then spent the rest of her working life as office staff at Blue Cross/Blue Shield in downtown Providence until her retirement.

Theresa was very active in local politics in Providence including doing work for local housing developments and also working with the city and state to obtain benefits for seniors in the community. 

Theresa loved to go out, loved shopping, loved to chat with you, oh, did she love to chat, loved listening to music, enjoyed all forms of the arts and especially enjoyed dancing.  She cut a mean Jitterbug!  Theresa enjoyed the beach and dining out.  She loved to sew and would make her own patterns and fashionable outfits.  Always fun loving and caring with an infectious laugh and smile.  Everyone loved her warm and welcoming spirit.  Theresa loved everyone and never said anything bad about anyone.  She was never judgmental.

Above all, Theresa loved her children, her husband, parents and siblings.  Family always came first, often at great sacrifice.  She was always there for them with love and encouragement.

She was a true Earth Angel and child of God.  She loved Sunday services and especially Holiday services in the praise of God.  Now Theresa is forever an eternal Angel in Heaven.

Relatives and Friends are invited to calling hours on Saturday, June 10, 2023, from 7:30 AM until 9:00 AM at the Woodlawn Funeral Home, 600 Pontiac Ave, Cranston. Mass of Christian Burial at St. Paul Church in Cranston to be held right after at 10:00 AM, with final prayers and burial at St. Ann’s Cemetery in Cranston at 11:00 AM. The family will have an after-service lunch at Twin Oaks at noon for anyone wishing to attend.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations are greatly appreciated to either; Hope Cat Rescue or Animal Rescue Rhode Island. 

Please share memories and condolences at www.WoodlawnRI.com