Theresa J. Winiecki

WINIECKI, Theresa J., Dear family and friends,

Theresa Joan Winiecki, 80, Steve's caring wife of 56 years; fun-loving mom of Susan (Andrew Cain) and Mike (Marquita); devoted "gram" of Jordan; faithful sister of Jerry Pierug; and honorary mother-in-law of Susan Meyn and Paul Cain and Jimmie and Dawn Cain, joined her beloved angels on January 29, 2021.

Letter and card writing were Terry's daily labors of love, so we will share parts of her life story that way.

Terry grew up in the East Side of Buffalo, with her dear parents, Emily and Walter. She attended Villa Maria High School, where she was a featured soprano. She also was the pied-piper cousin of Pat Caprio, Chris Heideman, Diane Morse, Jim Hencinski, Dave Hencinski, Bob and Ron Grabowski, Felicia Bosinski and Lori Dickenson, Cindy Schmitt and many others.

Oddly enough, Terry, who hated needles and couldn't watch anyone she loved get a shot, became a dental hygienist, graduating from Erie Community College. She worked for two kind dentists, Dr. Frank Schlehr in Cheektowaga, N.Y., and Dr. Stephen Payne in Midlothian. Her many patients and co-workers became close friends. She also made lifelong neighborhood friends in West Seneca, N.Y. and Westerville, Ohio.

Terry befriended people easily — on her 2012 Italy trip, on plane rides, at basketball games, at bingo and through The Church of the Epiphany. She continued to stay in touch with friends of her children, far better than they did.

She loved trying new recipes, writing "excellent!" on her favorites; welcoming people around her table; receiving and arranging flowers; collecting angels; listening to musicals; finishing the daily crossword; and reading, with Trigiani, Patterson and Berg among her favorites.

On Saturday, January 23, she watched the movie "Herself," recommended "Apple Mortgage Cake" to Susan and was finishing the BBC series "Bodyguard." Still on her list were "The Trial of the Chicago 7," "Lupin" and "Pieces of a Woman." Terry's pen pal of 30 years, cousin Mary Ann Baron, was the lucky recipient of her last letter, penned January 26, before she took her final break for dinner and the news.

Terry's Amazon list for the week also included ordering a birthday card for her brother and valentine cards.

Her greatest wish for us all would be first to crack open a ginger ale, and then sit down to write a few lines to a family member or friend with whom you haven't been in touch lately. Share that you care for them and put that envelope in the mail.

Love, the Winieckis

Thank you to the wonderful team of caregivers at Johnston-Willis — ER nurse Steve Turner, PA Mike Barber, Dr. Bogdan Paraschiv, Dr. Allison Harriott and nurses, Jennifer in ICU, Susan McGee with hospice, Marianne and Alana on 2nd floor.

A private funeral Mass and interment will be held later this month. A future celebration of her life will be planned. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Church of the Epiphany, with Human Concerns Ministry in the memo line, 11000 Smoketree Drive, Richmond, Va. 23236.