Obituary of Theresa Mary Pica

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Theresa Mary Calandra Pica, age 94, died quietly of natural causes at her home in Mount Kisco, NY, on August 29, 2020. Survivors include her devoted daughter, Cathy of Stamford, CT; loving son Thomas and his wife, Irene, of Wakefield, RI; beloved grandson William, his wife Maureen, and great-grandson Robin of Mahopac, NY; and her sister, Lucy Michelucci of Red Hook, NY. She also leaves behind many nieces, nephews and in-laws in the extended Pica-Calandra family. Theresa was preceded in death by her husband, Biagio Pica; parents Giachino and Mary (Viglione) Calandra; brothers Louis and Frank Calandra, and sister Philomena Macioci. The daughter of New Yorkers who immigrated from Campagna, Provincia Salerno, Italy, Theresa was born April 26, 1926 in The Bronx, N.Y. She was baptized at St. Philip Neri Church, lived most of her youth in the borough's Belmont section and attended Theodore Roosevelt High School. She met husband Biagio, a truck driver and World War II Army veteran, on a "blind date" and they were married on May 6, 1950, at Our Lady of Mount Carmel Church in The Bronx. They started their life together in a one-bedroom apartment in the Laconia section of The Bronx before moving their young family 10 years later to a modest two-bedroom home in the Wakefield neighborhood. In 1980, with their children grown and out on their own, they moved to Mount Kisco where they lived together on Byram Lake Road with her parents until they passed away. Theresa learned the craft of a seamstress as a young girl in the garment industry; she held a full-time job as a dress maker once her children were of school age in order to help put them through college. She later worked as a sales person and store manager at Marstelle Bridal shops in The Bronx and White Plains, NY, before retiring 30 years ago. Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, aunt, sister-in-law, mother-in-law and friend. Family was important and she enjoyed children. She was wise, optimistic, kind, witty, philosophical and a peace-maker. Her signature reply, "What can you do?" was adopted warmly by her extended family as a measure of solace and acceptance in times of trouble. It was one of many sayings she passed along, translated from the family Neapolitan dialect and attributed to her mother. Theresa rarely complained. She kept in touch with her wide network of family and friends with the help of her carefully annotated personal address book and cordless phone with its extensions in every room. She loved conversation and could banter with the best; she also enjoyed her peace and quiet. For many years, she spoke almost daily with her sister Lucy. She loved walking; family gatherings at Orchard Beach; clipping coupons and shopping for bargains; sewing, and baking at home. For much of her life, she kept a sewing machine at home. She and her husband rarely took a vacation — and then only on weekends— and never flew in an airplane. At home, she enjoyed listening to recordings of favorite crooners from her young adulthood, especially Jerry Vale and Perry Como. Family and friends copied recipes for her rich marble funnel cake, airy pizzelle wafers and multi-shaped, holiday butter cookies. Theresa was an active member of senior programs in New Castle and Mount Kisco. She drew upon her garment industry background to help lead a Thursday sewing circle that made hand-sewn items for the Mount Kisco senior center's annual craft fair fund-raiser as well as other area charities. Despite a final year that included health issues, she kept up her spirits, retained her sense of humor and was a fighter to the end. She insisted only that she be in her own home where she died peacefully. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her name to Spence-Chapin Services for Families and Children https://spence-chapin.org/donate/ or to Mount Kisco Senior Center at 104 Main St., Mount Kisco, NY 10549 / Attention: Supervisor's Office.

Unfortunately, due to current public health concerns and restrictions, there will be no wake and funeral services will be private. A Mass of Christian Burial will be streamed via Facebook live at 11 AM EST Thursday (9/3) for family members and friends who otherwise would be invited under normal circumstances. 

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