Teresa Ann Getchell

PORTLAND - Teresa Ann Getchell, 75, died April 10, 2012 at the Maine Medical Center, with her loving family by her side. She was born September 13, 1936 in Portland, a daughter of Dudley and Mary (Duffy) Coyne. She was educated locally and attended Cathedral Elementary School and was a graduate of Cathedral High School. She graduated from Mercy School of Nursing becoming a registered nurse. She earned her Master's Degree at Boston University. She was a communicant of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception. Teresa married Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell on June 27, 1961 at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas and began raising her family. Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell was shot down during the Viet Nam War in 1969 and declared dead in 1979. Teresa became a lifelong Advocate and served as a state coordinator of MIA/POW. She attended many meetings in Washington. Teresa worked at Mercy Hospital in the Pulmonary Department for over ten years. In the late 1970's, she taught in the Nursing Program at St. Joseph's College. In the late 1990's she worked as an assistant teacher at Longfellow School. Teresa was an avid runner, who participated in half Marathons and golfer and bridge player. Teresa loved to walk Baxter Boulevard. She travelled extensively over the United States and Europe. Teresa spent her winters in Bradenton, Florida. Teresa was predeceased by her husband Lt. Col. Paul E. Getchell; her parents; a brother, Patrick Coyne and a sister Mary O'Brion. Surviving are a son, Gregory P. Getchell and his wife Stephanie of Portland; daughter, Karen T. Getchell and her husband David Coppersmith of Portland; a sister, Barbara Kokalari and her husband Al of CT; brothers, John Coyne of Portland, Dudley Coyne and his wife Connie of Scarborough, William Coyne and his wife Helen of Texas; two grandchildren, Abigail Crump of Westbrook and Gianna Getchell of Portland. Relatives and friends are invited to attend a 10:30 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial on Friday at the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, 307 Congress Street, Portland. Burial will be at a later date at Arlington National Cemetery next to her husband. Arrangements by Conroy-Tully Crawford Funeral Home, 172 State Street, Portland. Those desiring may make contributions in Teresa's memory to: DAV (Disabled American Veterans), ATTN: Gift Processing, PO Box 14301, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 or Operation Homefront, 8930 Fourwinds Drive, Suite 340, San Antonio, TX 78239.Online condolences may be expressed below.