Theresa A. Groves, age 65, a resident of Madison for thirty years, unexpectedly entered eternal rest on December 30, 2023, at her home in Madison.
Terri was born in Bridgeport on September 2, 1958, daughter of Thomas L. Groves Jr. (Mary Ann Aquila Groves) of Seymour and the late Joan B. Gendron Groves. She grew up in Stratford, where she graduated from Bunnell High School. Terri went on to receive a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education from Southern Connecticut State University, a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies in Writing and a sixth-year degree in Historiography, both from Wesleyan University in Middletown. She also took numerous courses at Cambridge University in England where she was proud to earn college credits. Terri was a teacher in East Haven since 1985, most of the time at Joseph Melillo Middle School, from which she retired this past June. She adored all her students and made lasting friendships with her co-workers. Terri was a huge fan of Broadway and attended shows each year with her nieces and nephew. She loved to travel, especially to England, Ireland, Scotland, Germany, and Canada. Her dream was to purchase a retirement home in Nova Scotia. She also enjoyed traveling within the United States with her family members. Terri was very interested in genealogy and was considered the “family historian.” Her hobbies included trivia, reading, cooking, and baking. Most of all, she loved spending time with her family, including extended family members Jimmy, Brian, Nancy, and June. Terri will be sadly missed but will remain forever in our hearts.
In addition to her father Thomas and step-mother Mary Ann, Terri leaves to cherish her memory, brothers, Thomas L. Groves III (Jill) of Naugatuck, and Richard A. Groves of Monroe, a sister, Sharon M. Brezina (David) of Seymour, nieces and nephews, Shannon Groves of Naugatuck, Melissa Groves of Hawaii, Amanda Groves of Bridgeport, David Brezina (Sammi) of Schuylkill Haven, PA, Bridget Revis (Daniel) of SC, Kaelyn Brezina of Seymour, Emily Brezina of Seymour, Roland Groves of Monroe, Thomas Giambra (Ashleigh) of Thomaston and William Giambra (Melinda) of Prospect, along with feline buddies, Hemmy, Rougarou and Lola.
A funeral service and celebration of Terri’s life will take place in the chapel of SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia on Saturday, January 6, 2023, at 1:00 pm, with Reverend Jeffrey Gubbiotti officiating. Visitation will follow until 4:00 pm. Burial will be private in Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull. Contributions in Terri’s memory may be made for a future educational scholarship fund in her name. Checks can be made payable to her sister, Sharon Brezina, and mailed to the funeral home. To sign Terri’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit, www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
