Concetta “Connie” Teresi

CONCETTA M. “CONNIE” TERESI (nee Tringale) age 95, beloved wife of the late Mario; loving mother of Marie Cavotta (husband Joseph), Diana Mitchell Bartel (husband James) and Celeste DeSapri (husband Dennis); devoted grandmother of Joseph Cavotta, Jr.,  Monica Mitchell, Valerie Volker (husband Clark), Christina Cavotta, Armand DeSapri and the late Russell Mitchell and Elisa DeSapri and great-grandmother of Kent and Nico; cherished daughter of the late Salvatore and Maria (nee Runci) Tringale; dearest sister of the late Carmen Tringale and Josephine Viccarone (husband James, deceased); dear aunt, great-aunt and cousin of many.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made in memory of Connie to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105.

Connie was born on January 1, 1925 in Cleveland, Ohio and passed away on December 21, 2020. Her parents had migrated to Cleveland from Letojanni, Sicily. Her family owned and operated the Mayfield Fish Market in Cleveland’s Little Italy neighborhood, where she grew up and attended Murray Hill School. She later graduated from John Hay High School, in 1943. Connie was married at Holy Rosary Church to her “prince”, Mario, and they later had three daughters. In 1962 they moved to Lyndhurst, Ohio. They joined St. Clare Parish, where she became a member of the choir.

Connie worked earlier in her life, but became a full-time homemaker, graciously raising her daughters, while caring for her invalid mother. She was an excellent Sicilian cook who enjoyed entertaining. Her kitchen and dining room were often the preferred gathering spots. She hosted many luncheons and dinners for foreign exchange students attending Case Western Reserve University, from various countries. It was a sign of her hospitality, and also a cultural learning experience for her family. She made excellent biscotti, pizzelle, and cheesecake, and her apple strudel was like no other!!

After her children were grown, she returned to the workforce, taking a position in the accounting department at May Company Department Store (now Macy’s). There she remained, despite other job offers, for twenty years, until she retired. Connie was an avid card player, enjoying Pinochle, Poker and Rummy. She had interests and excelled in art, especially drawing and sculpting, as well as sewing. She made clothing for her children when they were young.

When she became a widow, she assisted her daughter, Diana, in her home-based sewing business. She got involved in volunteer work at the St. Clare soup kitchen and later, with St. Paschal Baylon Helping Hands Cooking Ministry. She made friends easily, had a sense of humor, and never said an unkind word about anyone. She found the good in everyone she met. Connie will be remembered as a most caring and devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. She will be dearly missed by so many who knew her.

Relatives and friends are invited to meet for the Mass of Christian Burial Tuesday, December 29, 2020 at 10 AM at St. Clare Catholic Church 5659 Mayfield Rd, Lyndhurst, OH 44124. Livestream of services available here. Burial following at Lake View Cemetery. Arrangements by THE DeJOHN FUNERAL HOME & CELEBRATIONS CENTER OF CHESTERLAND.