Theresa Marie Maresca

Theresa Marie Maresca, 91, of Red Bank, NJ, passed away peacefully on Tuesday, July 30th. Theresa was a loving and devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, friend and hospice aid.
She was preceded in death by her adoring husband, Louis, in January 2023. Theresa will be dearly missed by all who knew her, but mostly by her seven children (and in-laws) Mary Frances Horowitz (Mark dec'd.), Robert (Donna), Gene (Karen), Joan (Robert), Tom, MaryGrace (Tom) and Terrianne (Steve), fifteen grandchildren, Jason, Sarah, Joseph, Cara, Michael P., Christine, Brian, Michael J., Hannah, Douglas, Anna, Emily, Grace, Conrad, Colette, and her six great-grandchildren, Molly, Finn, Lilianna, Juliette, Jaxson, Tess and Owen.
Theresa was born on June 2, 1932, to Mary and Patrick Hayes who hailed from Newfoundland, Canada. She was born, raised, educated, employed, and married in Brooklyn, New York. She met and fell in love with her husband of 68 years, Louis Maresca, on a double date – with someone else! Lou and Theresa were married on February 27, 1954 at Our Lady of Angels in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, where they lived until moving to Westfield, NJ in 1972. They lived in Westfield for 20 years before moving to Scotch Plains in 1996 and then to Red Bank in 2010.
Theresa was a supportive wife and full-time mother, roles she relished and excelled in. She was happiest when surrounded by her large family, cooking and playing endless games of cards. Active in the Catholic church throughout her life, Theresa was a faithful and dedicated parishioner at St. Helen's Church in Westfield, NJ, helping to start many of the programs so many have benefitted from over the years.
Theresa and Lou were one of the founding families of the Center for Hope, the first hospice in New Jersey, where they volunteered for decades. Theresa was a role model who cultivated a sense of service in her children and grandchildren. Her greatest joy was derived by helping others. Two notes I found in her journal summarizes her view of service: "There is no joy like the joy of giving, and there is no gift like the gift of yourself." and "What we do for ourselves dies with us. What we do for others and the world lives on." Her tireless work as a hospice aid bears witness to that deep-seated belief as well as the love and care she showered on all who knew her – and plenty who didn't. It was only fitting that Theresa and Lou would be led to the Atrium where they could continue their hospice ministry – not in an official capacity, but theirs was a vocation not a job. They were blessed to be able to walk with many friends here as they passed on, offering comfort and love.
Theresa's faith was the bedrock of her life. Her love and service to others were merely a byproduct of her life-long love affair with Jesus. Her faith was the source of her strength, courage and endurance to bear life's many difficulties, disappointments, challenges and trials. It was also an integral ingredient in her many joys and accomplishments.
The family extends their deep gratitude to her dedicated and loving aids: Dian Owen, Catherine Barriteau, Cleo McGrath, Lynn Flowers and Hillary Acheampong. We'd also like to thank the residents and staff of the Atrium for the friendships, love and care they shared over the past 13 years. It gave us great peace knowing our parents were surrounded by such kind and compassionate people.
A Memorial Gathering will take place on November 3rd from 1 to 4pm at Dooley Colonial Home, 556 Westfield Ave., Westfield. On Monday, November 4th at 10am, a funeral Mass will be celebrated at St. Helen's Church, 1600 Rahway Ave., Westfield. Interment will follow at Fairview Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Center for Hope Hospice, 1900 Raritan Rd., Scotch Plains, NJ 07076 www.cfhh.org.