Terese M. (Mehler) Kontis "Mehler" Wieszczyk

Terese M. (Mehler) Kontis Wieszczyk, age 97 of Erie, passed away on Sunday August 10, 2025, at St. Mary's at Asbury Ridge with family by her side. She was born in Erie on May 14, 1928, a daughter of the late, Lawrence M. and Theresa C. (Mehleck) Mehler.

In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her loving husband, Raymond Wieszczyk; brother, Edmund D. Mehler (Mary Kay), one sister, Laura M. (Mehler) Penna (Lewis), Step son-in-law Brian Laughlin, grandson Patrick Laughlin, and granddaughter Brenna Laughlin.

Terese was a proud graduate of St. Mary's School, East High School (Go Warriors!) and St. Vincent School of Nursing, Class of 1949 "The Best Class". Immediately following graduation, Terese worked as a registered nurse at St. Vincent Hospital. Not long after graduation, Terese along with four other Saint Vincent Nursing Graduates ("The Gang of Five") went to work at Queen of the Angels Hospital in Los Angeles, CA for about three years. She returned to Erie and once again worked at St. Vincent Hospital. During the latter part of her nursing career Terese worked at both Sarah Reed and Alpine Manor Nursing Facilities, she retired from nursing in 1989. Terese was a member of the Our Lady of Peace Rosary Alter Society and volunteered in the OLP school cafeteria during the years Lee and Carrie attended school. Terese spent years volunteering to clean the OLP Church with her two sisters Sylvia and Laura, fondly known as "the dust bunnies". Terese was a member of the St. Vincent Nursing Alumni. In addition, she was a member of the St. Vincent Ladies Auxiliary , one of her favorite volunteer duties was working in the mail room and delivering mail to patient rooms alongside her two sisters and close friend Toni Oldach. Terese was devoted to her family and her husband Ray. She was devoted to her Catholic faith which sustained her during good times and difficult challenges. Many people say she was a bright spot in their day and they looked forward to seeing or talking to her, experiencing her intelligence, wit, humor, and jokes. She was always interested in everything anyone had to share including any new stories and jokes. She enjoyed the Opera including shows at the Metropolitan in New York city, Cleveland Opera house and Chautauqua. Others pale in comparison to her holiday decorating talents and family holiday event planning.

She is survived by her son, Lee A. Kontis Jr. (Tina) of Erie; one daughter, Carolyn "Carrie" Kontis of Erie; four stepsons, Mark P. Wieszczyk (Carol) of Sonoma, CA, Raymond Wieszczyk Jr. (Lorrie) of Flat Rock, MI, Gregory Wieszczyk (Eileen) of North East, PA and Wayne A. Wieszczyk (Belinda) of Greenville, KY; three stepdaughters, Paula M. Laughlin of Erie, Cynthia A. Murosky (Donald) of Erie and Andrea R Staver (Tim) of Paola, KS; 27 grandchildren and 41 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by one sister, Sylvia R. Tronoski (Richard) of Erie; and many nieces, nephews and cousins.

Terese's family would like to extend a heart felt thank you to the aides and nurses from Saint Mary's at Asbury Ridge and Saint Vincent AHN for the genuine care and concern they provided to Terese. As she used to say Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Friends may call at the Brugger Funeral Home & Crematory 1595 West 38th St. on Friday from 3:00 to 7:00 PM and are invited to a prayer service there on Saturday morning at 9:30 AM, followed by a Funeral Mass at 10:00 AM at Our Lady of Peace Church. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery.

To send condolences please visit www.bruggerfuneralhomes.com.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to The Barber National Institute, WQLN, or Emmaus Soup Kitchen