Theresa Phillips

Theresa Musacchio Phillips was born March 25, 1930 in Cleveland, Ohio to Louis and Sarah (Pietrantone) Musacchio. She was the 4th of 7 children. That number(4) was very important to my mother. It defined her. It was her place in the lineup!

Theresa was raised in a home filled with love. Her childhood days and time growing up living at home were in her words , “the most wonderful days of my life.” She was taught early to not only love family and friends but to also love the Lord, Jesus Christ. She learned many lessons of servanthood in her parents home which she cultivated in her own life and in her marriage to Leonard Everette Phillips Sr, They were married on January 2, 1954 at First Assembly of God, Cleveland. My father thought my mother was the most beautiful woman in the world. Leonard was in the military, so they moved for the first three months of their marriage to Barstow, California, This was a real learning experience for Theresa and she was homesick for the entire duration of their stay prompting her to never wonder too far from her new home in Wickliffe, later in South Euclid, then in Novelty, Ohio.

Theresa and Leonard loved the Lord with all their hearts, and practiced their faith daily. They shared not only their home but often food, clothing and finances with anyone in need. Together they supported missionaries around the world.

Theresa and Leonard had three children, Paula Ann Vesta, Leonard E. (Renee) Phillips and Sarah Lynn Petronzio, They raised their children together, with faith and love.

Our house was a house filled with laughter, fun and love. Our mother was magical. She gave us a perfect childhood. Thanks Mom. She was selfless, kind and generous. Our house was a place that everyone felt welcome. You could visit anytime. The door was always open.

Mom played the piano. Never studding music, she played by ear in the key of C. My Dad and she purchased an old upright piano that she loved and played everyday. Our house was filled with her music. She would play the hymns of the church and played everyday til she was 87. She was a wonderful cook, from school lunches, snacks to delicious dinners. There was always something wonderful cooking. She loved to iron cloths and a clean house. She had a great laugh. Her sisters were her best friends. She loved coffee, Elvis, the jitterbug, ice cream, swimming, James Taylor and the song “Garden Party” by Ricky Nelson. She loved reading and cutting out articles of interest from the paper or magazines. You never left her house without a clipping of a joke from the funny pages or an article she felt you could learn something from. She loved husband and her family, but mostly she loved the lord and depended on him to see her through life ups and downs, and he did.

Among Mothers favorite scriptures was Proverbs 31, the detailed description of a wife and mother. It was what she aspired to be. She was all those things and more. Her children and grandchildren rise up today to call her BLESSED!

A Mother’s love is something, that no one can explain,

It is made of deep devotion and of sacrifice and pain.

It is endless and unselfish and enduring come what may,

For nothing can destroy it or take that love away.

It is patient and forgiving, when all others are forsaking,

And it never fails or falters even though the heart is breaking.

It believes beyond believing when the world around condemns, And it glows with all the beauty of the rarest, brightest gems.

It is far beyond defining, it defies all explanation,

And it still remains a secret like the mysteries of creation.

A many splendored miracle man cannot understand,

And another wondrous evidence of God’s tender guiding hand. Helen Steiner Rice

Theresa passed away peacefully on May 20, 2022. She is preceded in death by her husband. Leonard in 2005 after fifty one years of marriage. Also preceding Theresa were her parents, Louis and Sarah, brothers, Nicholas, Louis, and John. Her sister Pauline Kortyna and her son-in-law James Vesta Sr.

She is survived by her sister Anna Marie, whom she resided with until her death, her youngest brother, James(Linda) Musacchio. Sister-in- laws Beverly and Carol Musacchio and Brother-in-law Albert Kortyna.

Theresa’s children Paula Ann Vesta, Lenny( Renee) Phillips, and Sarah Lynn Petronzio will forever be grateful she was their mother.

Theresa’s grandchildren Anna(Brian)Chomer, Louis(Amy) Vesta, Nicole(Jacob) Vesta Wade, Natalie(Bradley) Funk, Eric Sircula, Jennifer Phillips, Frank, Michael(Katelyn) John and Theresa Petronzio. Great grandchildren, Aila and Everett Chomer, Abram and Asher Vesta, Nicholas, Madison and Sarah Wade, Kendra, Bella, Bradley and Hayden Funk will be taught of her faith and love. Many nieces and nephews and cousins loved her deeply as she loved them.

Theresa was and will be remembered to those who loved her as a Daughter, Dear Sister, Loving Wife, Mother, Cousin, Auntie, Grandmother, Gramma T, and friend.  She will be greatly missed by all who knew her.

Our family thanks you for your understanding as we lay our beloved mother to rest beside her husband at Crown Hill Cemetery, in Twinsburg, Ohio.

The family requests that all donations be made to the Anna Marie Musacchio Trust, 20982 Arcadia Drive, Bristol, Indiana. 46507.