Theresa Annette Porcu, age 85, peacefully left this earth in the comfort of her home, surrounded by her loving family, on December 10, 2024. She was the beloved wife of the late Andrew F. Porcu Sr.Theresa was born October 9, 1939 in Derby, daughter of the late Peter and Antoinette Alfano Palmieri and proudly lived there for nearly 80 years before moving to Bethel in 2018.
To know “Tessie” was to love her. There was no doubt that her family was most important in her life and she was the glue that held them together with her famous Sunday dinners and holiday meals. Her door was always open for a visit and she whipped up perked coffee with an “and” on a moment’s notice.
Through every stage of her life Theresa forged friendships, dating back to her kindergarten days, with many of these relationships spanning decades. She took the young ones under her wing and was the “Work Mom” who made them egg sandwiches during early shifts at Sikorsky. It was here, for nearly two decades, that Theresa took great pride in the work she did in the electrical department. Even as her memories were fading, she would talk about “all the wires.” When she retired from Sikorsky, her break was short lived as she was enlisted to help at the Derby Senior Center.
This little gig turned into a part-time job that once again lasted nearly two decades. She was happy to keep busy there maintaining the many plants she brought in, planting flower boxes, cooking in the kitchen for special occasions and so much more.
As a young girl Theresa was frequently hospitalized for severe allergies and was forced to leave school before graduating. This was something that weighed on her for many years and in 1996, at the age of 57, she was so proud to receive her high school diploma! Although it took nearly 40 years for the actual diploma, she was always grateful to be included in the high school reunions over the years.Theresa was never one to sit still and was always up for an adventure.
In later years she loved traveling, visiting Italy twice, Hawaii, Jamaica and as well as many trips with her favorite sister-in-law, Rosita. They traveled to California, Las Vegas, North Carolina and frequently set out to visit family in New Jersey and their times were always spent laughing. Theresa was particularly proud of her driving skills having made many cross-country trips in her youth to visit her grandparents in California and so she became the driver of the “Aunts” with many trips to the casino.
Theresa greatly enjoyed planting flowers, playing in the Church bocce league, helping at the Holy Rosary festival in the sausage and pepper tent, going to “cousin’s club” on Thursday nights and so much more. Whenever she was called upon to help, she never hesitated to say yes. She was a woman of faith and dedicated to her Catholicism and became a daily Church goer after her retirement. Together, with her brother Pasquale, they would fast one day a week.
Theresa is survived by her children, Andrew Porcu Jr, John Porcu, Jennifer (Sal) Zinzi and step-daughter MaryLou Golebieski. She was graced with seven grandchildren, Kevin (Liz) Golebieski, Amanda Porcu, Andrew (Maura) Porcu III, Amy (Patrick) Shaughnessy, Kaleigh Porcu, Giuliana Zinzi & Salvatore Zinzi. In addition, she was blessed to have 4 beautiful great-grandchildren, Frankie, Ethan, Angela & Ruby as well as many loving nieces and nephews.In addition to her husband Andrew, she was predeceased by brothers, Ferdinand, Pasquale, Anthony, and Peter Palmieri as well as her beautiful sister Philomena Furfaro.
Relatives and friends are invited to greet the family and pay their respects on Friday, December 13, 2024, from 4:00 to 7:00 pm in the chapel of the SPINELLI-RICCIUTI FUNERAL HOME, 62 Beaver Street in Ansonia. On Saturday, December 14, 2024, her funeral will begin at 9:15 am from the funeral home, followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10:00 am at St. Mary’s Church, 212 Elizabeth Street in Derby. Interment will immediately follow in Mt. St. Peter Cemetery in Derby.
Contributions in Theresa’s memory may be made to the Alzheimer’s Association at www.alz.org/ct/. To sign Theresa’s guestbook or share a memory, please visit www.spinelliricciutifh.com.
