Theresa Fanella Butler died peacefully on July 26 at her home in Rye surrounded by her children. She was 93 years old.
Theresa died of a broken heart after her husband of 71 years, John (Jack) Butler, died this past December. The love and bond between them was undeniable, and she succumbed to the grief.
Theresa was born at home in Harrison on July 24, 1931. Her mother, Filomena Delle Valla, and her father, Peter Fanella, emigrated from Italy.
Educated in Harrison, Theresa worked as a bookkeeper for the Grand Union grocery store chain in Larchmont. She was a driving force behind her husband’s successful food business, Butler Bros of Harrison. Theresa had boundless energy and the determination to get things done.
Theresa was very proud of her six children and their spouses, her grandchildren, and her great grandchildren. Celebrating all their birthdays and achievements was always a joy to Theresa and a feast in her home. This is where she was happiest.
Theresa was an avid gardener. Her backyard was full of dozens of golden daffodils in the spring and beautiful summer wildflowers through September. As a lover of nature, she and Jack enjoyed skiing in Stowe, Vermont, and playing tennis year-round.
A devout Catholic, Theresa was a lifelong parishioner at the Church of the Resurrection.
Theresa is survived by her children, Jacqueline Johnston (John) of Harrison; Brian Butler of Rye; Terese Bisconti (Robert) of Bronxville; Kathleen Brown (Curtis) of Carmel Valley, California; Patrick (Debra) of Ridgefield, Connecticut; and Timothy (Christina) of South Salem, New York.
She is also survived by 14 grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Theresa was preceded in death by her siblings, Jessie Pizzarello and Margaret Jacoby.