Theresa Malatesta

To some she was Theresa, or Teresa. To others she was Resa or Terri and still others Aunt Theresa. Some called her Lala, and even the occasional Auntie. Whatever you called her, if you were one of those who knew Theresa Malatesta you were a lucky person indeed. A sweet little girl growing up in Hoboken, NJ, her long braids were the envy of the playground at Our Lady of Grace School. She was the youngest of the 7 children of Aldo and Teresa "Tess" Malatesta, and was predeceased by her parents and siblings Clara, twins John T & Joey, Maria, Jean and Jimmy. After high school, Terri went to work for the Celanese Fibers Corporation in New York City, as executive secretary to then Vice President John Fenney, and then as secretary to Virginia Jackson, Head Interior designer for the firm. Several career changes saw her working with family in the Peace Corps in South America, becoming certified as a Massage Therapist, and serving clients at Handel House Inn in Vermont, where she drove her red VW Beetle, even in extra deep snow. She returned to New Jersey and to her administrative skills, completing her career at Towers Perrin Consulting Firm in their New Jersey location. She remained friends for life with several of those who she met in the different jobs that she held. Her favorite role was as "Aunt Theresa" and "Lala" to her 20 nieces & nephews, and her many great nieces, nephews and even a few great grand nieces and nephews as well. She especially enjoyed spoiling them all at Christmastime, spending months choosing, preparing and wrapping gifts, and always sending the perfect card. She lived the latter part of her 79 years in the little bungalow that was part of her familys Summer property while she was growing up. She loved art, especially Claude Monet and Amedeo Modigliani. She loved music and kept a James Taylor CD in her car at all times. She was a proud, strong independent woman and enjoyed her private time as well as time with family and friends. She was deeply spiritual and honored the divine spirit in all living things. She loved her garden, nature and the animals that lived all around her. She spent many years as the towns "cat lady," nurturing and supporting a feral colony of cats, while feeding deer, birds and other wildlife in the woods surrounding her little house. She was equally kind, generous and supportive of everyone she met. All in her circle knew her as the most unconditionally loving, accepting and forgiving human being on this Earth. She is overjoyed, certainly, to be reunited with her parents, siblings, family, friends, and pets who loved her so much through the years. She was the most selfless person anyone could ever know. There will never be another like Theresa, Teresa, Terri, Aunt Theresa, Lala, or as she called herself, Resa Malatesta. We love you, Lala. Godspeed. . There are no gallery images.