Therese A. (Sobocinski) Sweeney, a long time Medford resident and retired teacher from St. Mary’s school in Winchester, passed away peacefully in her home with family by her side on April 20th after a lengthy illness. She was 88 years old. Born and raised in Salem MA, Therese spent her early years playing at the Salem Willows, exploring the house of Seven Gables, and attending polish school in between many trips to North Shore beaches. She graduated from Salem High School and went on to attend Salem State Teachers College where she would pursue her degree in education. After graduating and obtaining her teaching certification, Miss Sobocinski went on to begin teaching in Gloucester and other north shore communities before eventually settling in Medford. While at Salem State, Terese met and later married classmate James N. Sweeney of Medford. They were married for over 50 years. They lived briefly in Peabody, MA and then moved to Medford where they would grow their family and make their home on Playstead Road in West Medford. Therese taught at Saint Mary’s school in Winchester for many years where she was a beloved teacher, mentor, and a friend to all who knew her. . After retiring from Saint Mary’s school she spent much of her time tutoring, traveling, visiting and spending time with her grandchildren, reading, eating chocolate and enjoying many laughs with her many friends. She is survived by her daughters Deborah Wilson (Ric) of Broken Arrow, OK and Patricia Northrup (Bruce) of North Kingstown, RI. She leaves her treasured grandchildren Jamie and Elisabeth Wilson, Samuel and Megan Northrup, several nieces and nephews, a community of friends and especially her dear friends Natalie Fuller of San Juan Capistrano, CA and Pat and Christine Keane and family of Medford. Therese was predeceased by her youngest daughter, Susan Sweeney, and her beloved husband, James N. Sweeney, former Medford high school teacher. Relatives & friends are invited to attend her funeral from the Breslin Funeral Home, 610 Pleasant St., Malden on Monday April 26th at 10 AM followed by a Funeral Mass celebrated at St. Raphael Church in Medford at 11 AM. Services will conclude with interment in Oak Grove Cemetery in Medford. Visiting hours will be held at the funeral home on Sunday April 25th from 2-5 PM. In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to the ASPCA in her late daughter Susan Anne Sweeney’s name.