Theresa Marie Risika

Ocean Grove -

Theresa Marie Risika (nee Eckstein), 67, of Ocean Grove, New Jersey entered eternal life peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on September 28, 2025. She was the oldest of eight siblings, a cherished sister, aunt, great-aunt, and loving friend to many. Her earthly presence will be deeply missed.

Theresa was born in Providence, Rhode Island on April 5, 1958 to Roland L. & Gloria R. (Gioia) Eckstein. She was raised in Elmhurst, Illinois and Middletown, New Jersey. She earned her BA in art history and philosophy from Rutgers University in New Brunswick, NJ in 1981.

Theresa worked as the administrative manager to the CEO and director of ESA, a broadcast management firm in Red Bank, NJ. She was a faithful and devoted sister and pioneer of the Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall in Asbury Park, NJ.

Theresa truly loved nature, fauna and flora alike, and had a special heart for birds, orchids, dogs, cats, and guinea pigs. From an early age on, she was an avid indoor and outdoor gardener, a talented cartoon artist, and home crafter. She loved knitting scarves, sweaters, blankets, and booties for loved ones and folks in need, donating dozens of handmade items, each one lovingly created with a piece of her heart. Theresa loved sports, especially baseball, and was a huge fan of the Chicago Cubs and the New York Yankees. She loved living near the New Jersey shore, spending many happy moments enjoying the beauty of the ocean and surrounding nature. She also loved art, antiques, unique furniture, and possessed a keen, creative interest in re-crafting outdated items from college dining halls.

Theresa was the matriarch of a very large, loving family, and was surrounded by many friends that loved her sweet, caring demeanor, quick wit, and passion, determination, and will to live throughout the many health challenges that she endured.

Theresa's immense faith and her love of, and from her family and friends gave her the courage to survive muscular dystrophy, stage four metastatic breast cancer, and the many complications caused by such. She was ultimately taken by pneumonia from a Covid infection.

Widow to Jonathan Risika, Theresa is survived by her 7 siblings: Mary Elizabeth Clabby, Catherine Jean Charles, Roland John Eckstein (Eileen), Elizabeth Ann Segovia, Jennifer Susan Castro, David Michael Eckstein, and Amy Jane Murphy (Chris); in-laws Peter G. Clabby, Philip F. Charles Jr., Eileen Corbliss Eckstein, Bryant Segovia, Luis Castro, Heidi Nass Eckstein and Christopher T. Murphy; nieces and nephews Rachel (Clabby) & Josh Lambert, Peter A. & Juliette (Ulrich) Clabby, Brian & Jamie (Lawson) Clabby, Jennifer Clabby & Joseph Caprice, Philip F. III & Madeline (Jacobson) Charles, Kelly Charles, Caroline Charles, Keira Charles, Roland M. & Victoria (Camporini) Eckstein, Christian Eckstein, Hannah Eckstein, Grace Eckstein, Alyson (Segovia) & Joshua Golub, Sarah Segovia & Jake Marshall, Melissa Segovia, Andrew Segovia, Olivia Castro, Luis Armand Castro, Analise Castro, Anna Eckstein, Mia Eckstein, Abigail Eckstein, Ian Murphy & Meghan Warren, Finn Murphy, Jack Murphy, and Maggie Murphy; great nieces and nephews Leon Lambert, Lawrence Lambert, Frances Clabby and Henry Charles; and sweet fur-babies Sadie, Nacho, Charlie, Roger, Odin, Roni, Rooney, Lottie, Ruby, Deb, Cashew, Boonie, and Carnelian.

Theresa was a kind, loving, caring individual, known for her calm, happy disposition by her birth family, as well as by her extended family at Seaton Assisted Living of Ocean Grove, her residence prior to passing. She will be missed by all who knew and loved her.

A memorial service to celebrate the beautiful life of Therea Marie Risika will be held at Seaton Assisted Living Of Ocean Grove in Ocean Grove, NJ in the near future. Her ashes will reside at "Theresa's Place" , a garden gazebo in Syracuse, NY, built by her sister Jenny as a tribute to her life-long love of gardening and nature. In lieu of flowers, kindly send donations to No Limits Cafe - NYC Marathon fundraiser at https://fundraisers.nyrr.org/jennifer-castro-2.