Theresa Rosalie Vetere

UTICA - Our mom returned to God and her family on the Feast of Our Lady of Mt. Carmel, July 16, 2025. She passed in the comfort of her family home of over 70 years, surrounded by her children and grandchildren. Mom was a lifelong member of St. Mary of Mt. Carmel Church. We are comforted by the fact that our Blessed Lady accompanied her on her journey to Heaven.

Theresa was born in Utica, on April 6, 1931, the daughter of John and Rose Andriano Lombardo, and the youngest sister to Carmen and Vincent Lombardo, who predeceased her. Her entire life was impacted by the loss of Vincent when he was just a senior in high school. Theresa's values and devotion to her family were born from this great tragedy. She was a simple yet strong woman, who often shared about the days of her youth "picking beans." She frequently exhibited her streak of stubbornness, which she gifted to her children.

Theresa graduated from T.R. Proctor High School in 1950. Shortly thereafter, she married Leonard A. Vetere on April 11, 1953. They shared 67 years of marriage and together raised their five children, while lovingly caring for her parents and oldest brother, Carmen, until their passings.

Theresa was part of a "sisterhood" of high school friends who became her second family for their entire lives - Connie Mott, Bernice Caruso, Mary Gentile, Armen Bogosian and Esther Cacozza. Connie and Bernice are left to carry on their sisterly bond.

Mom's proudest vocations in life were being a caring daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother. She nurtured her children - always worrying about them well into their adult lives and until the day of her passing. Her favorite place in her home was standing at the kitchen sink, washing the dishes with her yellow playtex gloves, before putting them in the dishwasher for cleaning. Her children were the envy of others - having the whitest socks in school and in the neighborhood because she insisted on washing them twice with repeated cycles.

She cherished her "alone time" after she put her children to bed, when she could often be found on the couch until the wee hours of the morning. She was a "night owl" until her last days.

Mom loved watching classic movies, especially those starring Shirley Temple.

Mom honored her mother's traditions of Sunday family dinners. Her sauce and meatballs were a special treat for us all.

Her children and grandchildren will miss her forever. We took care of her, each to the best of our ability and each in our own way.

Surviving Theresa are her children and their families, Dominick "Dick" Vetere, John (JoAnn) Vetere, Theresa Ann Vetere, Rosemary (Patrick, Sr.) Morrissey and Christine Vetere. Her grandchildren were her world, John Vetere, Jr., Joseph Vetere, Patrick (Dielle) Morrissey, Jr., Jenae (Brittany) Morrissey, Danielle (Natalia) Morrissey, Maria (Anthony) Morrissey and Michael (Vivienne) Morrissey. Her great-grandchildren were her most cherished blessings in life, Patrick Morrissey, III and Kelsey Morrissey showered their "Big Little Noni" with hugs and kisses every time they saw her. Her granddogs, Chief Boy, Rosie Girl and Gem-Diamond protected her from all of us. Theresa is also survived by her niece and nephew, Philomena (Frank) Marrotta and Vincent (Colleen) Vetere; special cousins, JoAnn (Mike) Jones and Grace (late Charlie) Smith; her good friend, Marie Ambruso; and Godson, Sammy Mott.

In addition to her husband, Leonard (2020), Theresa was also predeceased by her mother and father-in-law, Dominick and Philomena Vetere; brother-in-law, Vincent Vetere; sister-in-law, Carmella Vetere; and her treasured Godchild, Josephine Ginnity.

A special thank you to Dr. Uri Goldberg, Nurses Kayla and Marnie and the staff of Rome Health, Aunt Lorrie Lenaghen, the staffs of The Eastern Star Home and Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. We are also grateful to our family friend, Virna Thibault, who helped mom during her illness with appointments and companionship.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend Theresa's Mass of Christian Burial and Celebration of Life which will commence on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, at 12 p.m. from St. Mary of Mt. Carmel/Blessed Sacrament Parish, 648 Jay St., Utica. The family will greet guests prior to the Mass from 10:30-11:30 a.m. in church.

In appreciation for the care she received during her last days, her family will be grateful for donations to Hospice & Palliative Care, Inc. online at www.hospicecareinc.org/donate or The Abraham House online at www.theabrahamhouse.org/donate; envelopes will also be available at the Mass.

This obituary was affectionately written by Theresa's family.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the Eannace Funeral Home, Inc., 932 South St., corner of Hammond Ave., Utica. Fond memories and messages of encouragement may be shared at www.EannaceFuneralHome.com.