Teresa Edel Remmy

Teresa Edel Remmy

ENGLEWOOD, Fla. - Teresa Edel Remmy passed away Tuesday (Aug. 23, 2022) at Tidewell Hospice House of Port Charlotte.

Born Aug. 24, 1944, in Allegany, N.Y., she was the daughter of Henry and Violet Nelsen Edel Jr.

She was married to Jerry Sawaya, with whom she had two children. She later married Cleatus Remmy, who predeceased her in 2008. She has been a loving companion to Dick McDonald for the last 14 years.

Teresa was a 1963 graduate of Allegany High School and later attended the Buffalo (N.Y.) School of Cosmetology.

In 1989, she moved to Grand Island, N.Y., and in 1998 she moved to Englewood, where she enjoyed her winters, especially celebrating Christmas holidays with family and friends.

Teresa's main love was shopping at Bealls and T.J. Max with her close friends. She spent her summers in Youngsville, Pa., and more recently in Allegany.

Her artistry shined in her paintings, pottery, knitting and crafts, and she had a special flare for decorating with seashells.

She was a member of the Ringling Museum of Art in Englewood and of the Cattaraugus County (N.Y.) Arts Council. Teresa was instrumental in establishing the Veterans of Foreign Wars post in Cuba, N.Y., and was a life member of the VFW Auxiliary and the American Legion Auxiliary, both in Cuba, and was a member of the Lakewood Rod and Gun Club Auxiliary.

Surviving is her companion, Richard McDonald; two children, Dennis (Becky Malzahn) Sawaya of Englewood and Denise (Garry Gaston) Swain of Indiana, Pa.; four grandchildren, Tyson (Kelly) Swain, Jennifer (Chip) Sawaya, Jessica (Stephen) Westfall and Courtney Sawaya; seven great-grandchildren; and several nieces and nephews.

In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by three sisters, Shirley Crusen, Marilyn Horton and Janice Reiley; and a brother, Theodore Edel.

The family will receive friends for a visitation from 10 a.m. to noon on Wednesday (Aug. 31, 2022) at Casey, Halwig & Hartle Funeral Home, 3128 W. State Road, Olean. A funeral service will begin at noon in the funeral home. Fr. Michael Reyes, OFM, will officiate. Burial will be at St. Bonaventure Cemetery, Allegany. A luncheon will follow the service and will be announced.

Donations in Teresa's memory can be made to Tidewell Hospice House of Port Charlotte, 1158 Veronica St., Port Charlotte, FL 33952 (www.tidewellfoundation.org/donate/) or to the donor's choice.

Online condolences may be expressed at oleanfuneralhome.com.