Theresa Ann DeLuca

Theresa Ann DeLuca, a woman of profound faith and boundless love for her family, passed away peacefully on Thursday, September 4, 2025, at the age of 99. Born on January 6, 1926, in Montalto Uffugo, Italy, to Peter and Rosina (Passarelli) Pellegrino, Theresa immigrated to the United States in January 1930 with her parents and older sister. She trained as a beautician alongside her sister, working for several years at Ritz Beauty Salon above Walgreen's Department Store on Washington Avenue in downtown Lansing. There, she met her beloved husband, Peter, whom she married and shared 62 cherished years until his passing in 2013. Together, they built DeLuca Custom Cabinets, a thriving business fueled by Peter's woodworking expertise and Theresa's meticulous bookkeeping.

Theresa's life was a testament to her unwavering Catholic faith, which served as the cornerstone of her existence. A devoted member of St. Gerard Catholic Church, she was an original Holy Spirit Oratory Weekly Eucharistic Adorer, dedicating countless hours to prayer and reflection before the Blessed Sacrament. Her love for praying the rosary was a daily ritual, a source of strength and comfort that she shared with her family and community. Theresa's faith was not merely a practice but a living example, as she instilled in her children and grandchildren the importance of trust in God, compassion, and living a life rooted in spiritual values. She often spoke of her belief that faith and family were intertwined, guiding her through life's joys and challenges.

Her love for her family was immeasurable, and she poured her heart into nurturing her children and grandchildren-Mary DeLuca, Peter (Karen) DeLuca, Rose (Brent) Heyer, and Connie (Frank) Masseau.

Theresa's pride and joy extended to her five grandchildren, Jason (Lindsey), Carly (Bradley), Daniel, Nicole (Noe) Zuniga, and Kelsey, and her six great-grandchildren, Ayla, James, Daxton, Jensen, Naiya, and Luca and Niece Barbara (Johnny) Rossi . She cherished every moment spent with them, whether sharing stories of her Italian heritage, teaching them the importance of kindness, or simply holding them close during family gatherings. Theresa had a unique ability to make each grandchild and great-grandchild feel uniquely loved, often showering them with homemade Italian meals, warm embraces, and words of wisdom drawn from her faith. Her home was a haven of love, filled with laughter, prayer, and the aroma of her cooking, which brought everyone together.

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved husband, Peter, sister, Bette C. Maceroni and brother Umberto Pellegrino. She leaves behind a legacy of faith, love, and family devotion, carried on by her surviving children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10:30 am at St. Gerard Catholic Church, with Rev. Fr. John Byers as celebrant. Interment will follow at St. Joseph Catholic Cemetery. The family will receive friends on Tuesday morning from 9:30 am until the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Mother Teresa House in Theresa's name, honoring her lifelong commitment to compassion and faith.