With enormous sadness, her family shares that Theresa Knowles, age 45, died on August 26th, 2021 at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Bangor, 44 days after a diagnosis of metastatic esophageal cancer. From the day of this diagnosis, and for the preceding 25 years, her best friend, love, and soulmate, Aaron Knowles, was at her side.
Theresa was born in Norway, Maine on April 4th, 1976, daughter of Tom and Cindy (Osgood) Bray. Raised in Woodland (Aroostook County), she attended Caribou High School, where she nurtured a curiosity in science that began in her childhood. An inquisitive, gifted, and driven learner, she later attended the University of Vermont, graduated with a BS in Zoology from the University of Maine, received her Registered Nursing degree and EMT license from Eastern Maine Community College, and her Family Nurse Practitioner degree from the University of Maine. In both her formal education and her approach to life, she was endlessly curious about, and devoted to, the medical field and public health. The medical world was a deep calling for her and her efforts to help others were expansive; she would give COVID vaccinations late at night in people’s homes, to workers at the end of shifts in a local general store, to migrant workers in the blueberry barrens, down east, and at dozens of clinics she arranged, throughout eastern Maine. She would “stay late” to finish grant writing that transformed the medical offerings of entire communities. She would drop everything in her busy schedule to assist a co-worker or encourage an uncertain mentee. She was a relentless and creative worker and problem-solver on behalf of others.
The heartfelt remembrances, tributes, and eulogies from people, organizations, and institutions across eastern Maine have been deeply felt and appreciated by her family. These expressions have reminded us all of Theresa’s profound commitment to the community she lived in, and the many communities she served. Theresa was a loving mother to her four boys, a school board member, a high school teacher, cheerleading coach and youth coach for soccer and basketball, a catalyst, role model and leader at PCHC, a mentor to colleagues, a confidante to fellow parents and friends, and a wonderful wife, sister, daughter, and daughterin-law. In all these roles, she communicated with care and practicality, with kindness and force, with insight and compassion, with integrity, precision, and thoughtfulness. And with an implied love that was felt by all.
Theresa loved sports – and she was a relentless and outspoken fan of her boys’ athletics; if she were ever wholly unfiltered, it was from the bleachers or edge of the playing field in the heat of a sporting event! Theresa also loved to GO- to Montana, to Bermuda, to the fire pit under the stars, to the lake, to hiking trails, forests, gardens (especially flower gardens) near hoh’le and across the state — and, to the ocean. During her favorite times, she was surrounded by her people and the natural world, laughing and talking, experiencing the presence of those she loved.
As a medical practitioner, she lived by science and common sense. She was a problemsolver. Theresa tackled challenges with urgency and optimism; she led people where they might not otherwise go, and she produced results that made things better. Always better. Colleagues, politicians and medical professionals trusted her and followed her lead. Co-workers and former students grew in confidence and skill because they trusted her and allowed her to teach and encourage them. Theresa was aware and honored when that trust was given to her; she was humbled by it.
Theresa is survived by her husband, Aaron, and their four boys, Matty, Aidan, Elijah and Finnegan, all of Lee; her father-and mother-in-law Kevin and Kendra Ritchie, of Lee; her father and mother-in-law Thom Knowles and Jane Scanlon, of Lee; her sister-and brother-in-law Aarika Ritchie and Ben Guido, of Gray; a sister, Jennifer Dawn Bray White and her family, of Easton; her mother, Cindy Bray of Mechanic Falls; a brother, Tommy Bray and his family, of Washburn; a special aunt and uncle, Marjorie and Jimmy Osgood and cousins Wade and Erin; the Allard boys and all the other young people who lived, occasionally or frequently, over the years, with the Knowles gang; her beloved critters: kitties Momo and Winston, dogs Shiloh, Mookie and Webley, and all of Finn’s chickens. Theresa was predeceased by her father, Tom Bray. A special thank you goes to all at St. Joseph’s Hospital whose remarkable care and attention were a blessing.
In her memory, the family asks that you consider any or all of the following:
1) visiting the Facebook pages of HAN (Health Access Network, in Lincoln), of PCHC (Penobscot Community Health Center, in Bangor), of Kendra Ritchie and Aaron Knowles – for tributes and remembrances regarding Theresa’s life and influence,
2) attending the celebration of her life on Saturday, September 11th, 5:30 pm at the field and fire pit located at her in-law’s home at 283 Cobb Road in Lee, ME. Please bring a lawn chair, if you’d like, and – in the spirit of Theresa’s beliefs and life’s work – consider wearing a mask in her honor. Also, if you would like to bring a potted plant for the duration of the ceremony, we can create a beautiful, temporary garden as we remember her (your plant will return home with you). This celebration will be outdoors in a place she loved and it will also be a pot luck meal; if you’d like to bring a much appreciated dish or food item, or stay updated about the celebration, join the Facebook page, ‘’Theresa Knowles Celebration of Life”.
3) donating to the Theresa Knowles Fund, raised to support the Knowles family, including to help defray educational expenses for her four sons. If you are moved to help, please visit: https://www.gofundme.com/f/TheresaKnowlesFund.