Theresa M. Wirt's Obituary
Theresa Marie Wirt 1915-2015 Theresa M. Wirt fulfilled a promise made to her granddaughter…living to 100 on October 22, 1915. Her wishes were always to see people while she was alive. And she was able to celebrate, as well as say goodbye, to family and friends in a celebration at her Assisted Living Community, Brookdale as well as a luncheon in her honor for family. She left this world on December 26, 2015 to rejoin so many of her relatives and friends that have gone before her. She was totally at peace with leaving this world, for in living such a long life, it is often filled with sadness as you lose so many that were close to you. Daughter of George and Mary (McCarthy) Brokaw Theresa was born on October 22, 1915 in Canaseraga, New York. The hard life she experienced during the Depression, actually shaped her into the strong woman that she became. After high school graduation she was lucky enough to attend college, a three year program at Geneseo Normal School in New York State and became a teacher in a one room school house and then in her town where she taught 6th graders. In 1941 she married Donald E. Wirt who had actually been in the first grade with her and eventually the same h.s. graduation class. Once married, her teaching contract became null and void. She followed her husband to various locations during his time in the Navy during WWII, finding different jobs in each place. Eventually they returned to the Western New York Area and settled in Belmont, New York where Theresa was the treasurer of the Allegany Soil and Water Conservation District in addition to maintaining the house and working part time as a substitute teacher. In 1976 they moved to sunny Fort Myers where they lived until 2004. As a retired teacher, she volunteered in several Lee County Schools for more than 20 years. She resided in Myerlee, at Barkley Place Retirement Community, and finally at Brookdale Assisted Living supported by Hope Hospice. In addition to one daughter, Cheryl A. Curry, the greatest joys in Theresa’s life were to experience the birth of her only grandchild, Monica Matronia Nelson, being grandma of the bride in the wedding to David Nelson, and eventually loving her two great grandchildren, Brayden, age 5 and Grayce age1. “GG” proudly showed off pictures every chance she had, always having some special treat for visits. She goes now to join her husband Don of 62 years, her sister Margaret and brother-in-law Robert Fraher as well as her nephew and godson, Bobby. She will be remembered as Aunt Theresa to nephew David Fraher and his life partner Rebecca Biderman as well as four nephews, Kenneth Jr., Morgan, Victor and Richard Wirt and their families. In keeping with her wishes, there will be a short Memorial Service led by Rev. Russell Ruggiero of St. John XXIII Parish at Fort Myers Memorial Gardens on Tuesday, December 29, 2015 at 2 p.m. followed by burial. A memorial mass will be celebrated at a later date. Memorial contributions can be made to: Fr. Brown Mission Fund, PO Box 341 Wellsville, NY 14895, St. John XXIII Capital Campaign or Hope Hospice.
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