Below is an obituary from Nichols Funeral Home:
WILMINGTON, MA — Theresa Margaret (Coffey) Manganelli, fondly known as “Tess” to her family and friends, of Wilmington, MA, passed away unexpectedly on March 23, 2026, due to injuries sustained in an automobile accident in Florida. She was 69 years old.
Born in Dorchester, MA, on July 27, 1956, she was the cherished daughter of the late Michael Coffey and the late Bridget (Flaherty) Coffey. Theresa was one of eight siblings raised in a close-knit Quincy neighborhood. She was educated in Quincy and was a proud graduate of North Quincy High School. She continued her education at Quincy Junior College earning an associates degree before attending Suffolk University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in accounting.
On April 4, 1987, Theresa married her beloved husband, Mark Manganelli. Together, they made their home in Wilmington, where they raised a beautiful family. She was a devoted and loving wife, mother, and an adoring “Nana” to her grandchildren.
Theresa was deeply involved in her community. A lifelong volunteer in Wilmington, she served on the Finance Committee beginning in 2008 and was the current chair, having served two terms in that role. She also played an active part as a member of the Building Committee for the new Senior Center.
After seeing a newspaper request for snack donations to the local food pantry and realizing that some children in her town did not have enough to eat, Theresa began volunteering at the Wilmington Food Pantry. She also founded the Adopt-A-Family Program, connecting families in need with holiday gifts they might otherwise go without.
Theresa never shied away from an opportunity to improve her community. She was a wealth of knowledge, took time to listen to residents, and made everyone feel that their voices mattered. A natural problem solver, she worked collaboratively with various town departments and formed many lasting friendships along the way.
Throughout her career, Theresa was known for her strong work ethic. For more than twenty years, she was employed as the general manager at Triton Construction Company in Wilmington, where she was a dependable and trusted employee.
Theresa was a beautiful lady inside and out and was always willing to help someone in need.
In her spare time, she enjoyed a good cup of tea, a piece of chocolate, and a glass of wine. She loved brisk walks and spending time over leisurely lunches and dinners with family and friends.
To honor Theresa’s memory, please consider taking a friend on a long walk or out to lunch.
Theresa will be fondly remembered for her endearing personality, beautiful smile, and the twinkle in her eyes. Theresa loved her family with all her heart and she was a true friend to many. She will forever be loved and deeply missed by all who knew her.
Theresa was the beloved wife of 38 years to Mark Manganelli; devoted mother of Jill Daigle (Manganelli) and her husband Dennis of Reading, MA, Michael Manganelli and his wife Rachel of Melrose, MA, and Scott Manganelli of Medford, MA; and loving “Nana” of Johnny and Katherine Daigle and Maeve and Jack Manganelli.
She was the dear sister of Mary Holt; Michael Coffey and his wife Gayle; Deborah Bode and her husband Gregory; James Coffey; Brendan Coffey and his wife Anna; Patricia Newayno and her husband Richard; and Eileen McLaughlin and her husband Raymond. She was the sister-in-law of Carl and Kathleen Manganelli and Nancy and James Freehling. Theresa is also survived by many special nieces, nephews, great-nieces, great-nephews and her several strong groups of friends near and far that will miss her dearly.
Family and friends will gather for Visiting Hours at Nichols Funeral Home, 187 Middlesex Ave. (Rte. 62), Wilmington, MA, on Friday, April 3, from 3:00 to 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, April 4, at 1:00 p.m. at St. Thomas of Villanova Church, 126 Middlesex Ave., Wilmington, MA.
In lieu of flowers, a scholarship in Theresa’s memory has been set up for a single mother looking to get her education at Middlesex Community College; you can donate by mail sending a check made out to the MCC Foundation, P.O. Box 8681, Lowell, MA 01853, please put Theresa Manganelli Memorial Scholarship in the memo line or online at donate to MCC middlesex.edu please select other from the drop down menu and write Theresa Manganelli Memorial Scholarship.
To leave a message of condolence, please visit www.nicholsfuneralhome.com.
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