Theresia Dolan

Theresa Dolan (Bachmann) passed away on June 19, 2023. She was the beloved wife of the late Eugene (Gene) Dolan. Theresa, better known by many as Terry, is survived by her daughter, Ann Marie with grandchildren: Christine Drpich (fiancé' Eren), Diana Drpich Ronan (Connor), Matthew Drpich (Emily); and her son, Thomas (Tom) with grandchildren: Stephen and Catherine; sister, Lis Ubelhart (Rolf) in Basel, Switzerland, and many other beloved relations and friends.

Theresa was born and raised by her parents Adolf and Marie Bachmann along with her older five brothers and sisters in Zurich, Switzerland.

Terry left for America at the age of 20, with a sendoff by family and friends from the port of Rotterdam, Holland on the ship SS Rydam. The intention was to make money and then return back to Switzerland. Arriving in Manhattan, New York, Theresa, who had apprenticed in fine lingerie back home was hired as a seamstress. Soon thereafter an acquaintance assisted Terry in switching careers to become an Au pair for a family with 2 young boys.

Little did she know that this new job would soon change her plans and life forever. While Theresa was watching the boys, a man came to do some carpet and upholstery cleaning, his name was Eugene. A connection between Terry and Gene was made then and there, most would call it Love at First Sight. They were married on September 22,1956, and lived in Gene’s parent’s apartment building. In a couple of years Ann Marie came along and two years after her came Tommy they purchased their home in Wantagh, (Long Island) New York in 1962. Gene had at that time also just begun his career at TWA (Trans World Airline) at JFK. While raising the kids the family would frequently, during school breaks, visit Theresa’s family in Switzerland. Once the kids got bigger her great friendly personality helped with selling cosmetics as an Avon lady, for many years. Terry loved to do arts and crafts as well as breeding Shetland Sheepdogs with the family pets Pinky and Bijou.

In 1970 the family went cross country in a Volkswagen Camper to visit Albuquerque, NM and property recently purchased in Rio Rancho. 

After the kids left home, Terry and Gene made two purchases upon selling their Wantagh home, one a mobile home and the other, a new home overlooking Albuquerque. The next few years were spent traveling all over the Western half of America. Upon completing their travels Terry and Gene settled in and established many new and great friendships, especially through the TWA club. Since then, Terry and Gene planned and enjoyed several globe spanning trips, notably one to South Africa and another to Japan.

Fourteen years ago in 2009, Theresa lost the love of her life, Gene. This was a trying time for her. While Theresa had always been a stout Roman Catholic, Our Lady of the Most Holy Rosary Church and the Small Catholic Community group helped reaffirm her faith and had been what she needed to help her get through that tough and difficult time while also making great friends with the other members.

To know or have known Terry either by being part of our close-knit family, circle of friends, acquaintances, community or even by a chance meeting, you would immediately recognize her great welcoming smile followed by her bubbly and welcoming personality. Theresa showed us all that she met each day, always seeing the best and brightest in everyone and everything around her.

We will all dearly miss her but will all warmly remember her presence and know that she is still shining her light on us now. Rest in Peace and may your shining light never dim.

A Memorial Service will be held Wednesday, June 28, 2023 at 10:30 AM, Daniels Family Funeral Services, 3113 Carlisle Blvd NE, Albuquerque, NM.  In lieu of flowers, it is requested that memorial contributions be made at www.greatnonprofits.org/org/soldiers-angels Their Mission: Soldiers' Angels is a volunteer-led 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization providing aid and comfort to the men and women of the United States Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, their families, and a growing veteran population. 

Daniels Family Funeral Services

3113 Carlisle Blvd NE

Albuquerque, NM 87110

505-884-1188