Teresa Jane Covel

Covel, Teresa Jane age 81 of Newton, NJ passed away Thursday July 10, 2025 at Newton Medical Center following a long illness. Born and raised in Springfield, Massachusetts, she had resided in Western Massachusetts and Rhode Island as well as upstate New York for many years before moving to Newton twenty-five years ago. Daughter of the late Francis and Stella (nee Harackowicz) Covel, Teresa was a graduate of the Cathedral High School Springfield, Massachusetts. She joined the Sisters of Saint Joseph Convent where studied to be a nun in addition to earning her teaching credentials. Following her studies at the Convent, Ms. Covel went on to earn her Master's degree in Education from State University of New York. She began her career as a school teacher with the Saint Rose of Lima School Warwick, RI. Teresa also served as a teacher with the New York State Prison System, the Port Jervis New York School System, Pope John XXIII Regional High School Sparta, NJ as well as the Veritas Christian School Sparta, NJ where she served until her retirement several years ago. Teresa will be missed by all who knew and loved her especially all her many students. In addition to her career as a teacher, Teresa also worked as private tutor as well as a religious education teacher for many years. A talented artist, Ms. Covel had received several awards throughout the years from various Sussex County Senior Citizens organizations. An active and devout parishioner of the Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church Newton, NJ, Teresa's faith, compassion, and kind heart guided her in always being a generous and helping person to her family, many friends and anyone in need. With a passion for Animal Rescue, she cherished the many pets and birds she adopted across her lifetime. Teresa was predeceased by her sister Kathleen and brother-in-law James Legein as well as her nephew Patrick Legein. Survivors include her niece Teresa and her husband Steven Bausman, her nephew Shawn and his wife Susan Legein, her great nieces Sienna Bausman, Sarah and her husband Mango Rivera, Jacqueline and her husband Michael Koster, Teresa and Anna Legein, her great nephews Kevin Legein and Asher Bausman as well as her great great niece Emily Koster and great great nephew Andrew Koster. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated Saturday July 19, 2025 at 10 AM in the Saint Joseph Roman Catholic Church #24 Halsted Street Newton, NJ. Cremation Interment will follow in the family plot in Springfield, Massachusetts. In lieu of flowers memorials in Teresa's memory may be made to the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation www.msfocus.org . Arrangements and online condolences through Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home #156 Main Street (Rt. 206) Newton, NJ 07860 www.iliff-ruggierofuneralhome.com.