Theresa Ann Valasitis Bowser

Mrs. Theresa Ann Valasitis Bowser
Theresa Ann Valasitis Bowser, (formerly Theresa Raynis), 73, of Cromwell, CT, passed away unexpectedly on April 4, 2023, at Middlesex Hospital, in Middletown, CT. She was born on May 24, 1949, as the only child, to Anthony Valasitis and Josephine Kempisty Valasitis, of Maspeth, Queens, NY. She was the stepdaughter of Bronislavia "Blanche" Bartkus Olszewski, (formerly Blanche Vilkelis, and then formerly Blanche Valasitis), who survives her. She was predeceased by her husband, Dwight "Red" Bowser, whom she built a beautiful life with, and missed dearly.
Terry was employed at Fafnir Bearing, in New Britain, CT, and later in the insurance industry. She had raised her family in Newington, CT, before relocating down South for work. Most recently, she resided in Darlington, SC, before moving back to CT, in her retirement, to be near family. In Darlington, she and Red moved to their dream home, on a five-acre parcel, lined with fruit trees and berries; it had much wildlife. There they enjoyed hosting many barbecues, where Terry was famous for her coleslaw and potato salad. Terry loved gardening, cooking, and animals. She fondly talked of the "old days" and growing-up in her Lithuanian and Polish-American household, with its extensive garden, in Queens. She had additionally resided in Charlotte, NC; Rockingham, NC; and Madison, AL, making many friends along her way.
Terry's favorite and most notable role in life was being a supportive wife, mother, and grandmother. She was a tireless caregiver to Red, and raising her children to be good people was her pride-and-joy and her "life's legacy." She was the proud mother and mother-in-law of two, now retired police officers. She spent her later years very involved with her grandchildren. She shared with them how to make Polish chrusciki, "angel wings," at Christmas; her special "lasagna;" and chocolate "worms and dirt" cake. She loved their TV dates, and baking cookies and "pigs-in-blankets." Terry especially loved her Lithuanian black bread. More than anything, she cherished time with family, and her neighbors and friends, at Fox Glen in Cromwell, CT, where she last resided.
Besides her stepmother, she is survived by her daughter, Wendy Ann Nesta, and son-in-law, Kevin Nesta, (Ret. HPD), of Berlin, CT; and her son, Allan Vincent Raynis, Jr., (Ret. NBPD), and daughter-in-law, Caroline Raynis, MBA/JD, of Wallingford, CT. She also leaves her five grandchildren, who were her greatest treasures: Abigail Raynis, Nathan Raynis, Lila Yerman, Lara Raynis, and Allan Vincent Raynis III, who hold many special memories of time spent with Grammie and miss her dearly. She leaves stepsister, Diann Vilkelis Ferrara, whom she was very close to throughout her whole life, and considered a best friend, and her daughters, Dr. Melissa Taylor (James) and Alison Sabatino; and stepsister-in-law, Antonia Pomichowski Vilkelis, and her sons, Dr. John G. Vilkelis (Jennifer) and William Vilkelis (Britta Muehlbach); and sisters-in-law, Robin Beaulieu (Daniel) and Graylyn Tomalczyk; and brother-in-law, Bryan Bowser; and many extended Kempisty, Vilkelis, Bowser, and Walton family members. Her very dear friends, Patricia Hann and Kathleen Gordon, and her beloved dog Niko, also survive her. Additionally, she leaves many friends in Cromwell, Darlington, and Newington.
Besides her parents and her husband, she was predeceased by her stepbrother, John Vilkelis and his daughter, Samantha Vilkelis; her stepbrother-in-law, Ernest Ferrara; her sister-in-law, Ellen Rudolph (James); her brothers-in-law, Clifton Walton, Albert Joseph Walton (Carolina), William Walton (Kathleen), and Zane G. Bowser, Jr.; her father-in-law and mother-in-law, Zane G. Boswer, Sr. and Winnifred Crocker Gray Bowser, whom she adored; and her former first husband, and the father of her children, Allan Vincent Raynis, Sr., (Ret. Sgt. NBPD), whom she supported during the establishment of his successful police career, and remained friends with.
Terry was a very loving and kind person and will be sorely missed by the many, many people she befriended and regularly interacted with, throughout her life. Per her wishes, she will be cremated. Arrangements are being taken care of by Rose Hill Funeral Homes, Inc., of Rocky Hill, CT. She did not want any services, but rather her memory to be honored by people living life to its fullest.
For online condolences, memories, or photo tributes, please visit website: www.rosehillfuneralhomect.com .