Theresa Ann Casale (Vertucci) , age 90, passed away Friday, May 29th at her home in Dallas, Texas after a brief illness.

Born January 21, 1936 to James (Jimmy) and Philomena (Philly) Vertucci, Theresa was raised in Flushing, Queens. She loved to tell of her trips into New York City, her times cooking with her mother and her life with her brothers and sister, mom and dad while growing up in Queens.

Theresa was working as a receptionist for a local dentist when a Columbia University Dental Student caught her eye. Just days after his graduation, Theresa married the love of her life, Joseph P. Casale on July 1st, 1961 at St. Leo's Catholic Church in Queens, NY. With Joe, Theresa experienced many adventures- traveling the world, skiing in Vermont, boating on the Hudson, tennis with the girls, theater on Broadway… She did not shy away from an adventure. Their 63+ years together were filled with so many stories and laughter.

Joseph and Theresa spent their honeymoon driving from New York to San Antonio, Texas for officers training, with a brief detour to Bon Wier, Texas thanks to Theresa's keen map reading skills. They then spent 2 years in Fort Campbell, Kentucky where Joe was stationed as a Captain in the 101st Airborne. Being a military wife was a great source of pride for Theresa. Her love of her Country and the Red, White and Blue was evident year round.

After starting their family in Fort Campbell, Kentucky, Theresa and Joe returned to New York with their young son, Thomas. Son Gregory came along and they lived first in the Bronx and then moved to Chappaqua, NY in 1969.

Theresa's home was her heart. She loved decorating and cooking. The kitchen, the center of their home, was always filled with wonderful aromas. Foods and flavors that represented their Italian heritage were a staple but Theresa also brought back ideas from their travels around the world and frequent trips into New York City. She loved to cook for her family and would spend all day artfully preparing their favorite meals. If a family member said they loved a meal she made, she would gladly recreate it… once famously making a full Turkey dinner with all the fixings on a warm day in the summer. When Joe said " Theresa, you should make this again sometime", she did exactly that …. the very next day. She truly loved to feed people.

Theresa centered her life around her home and family. Her two sons Thomas and Gregory were a huge source of pride for her. And her next greatest love, her only grandchild Alex, became the center of her world. Lunch dates with Alex, cooking with Gregory, watching classic movies with Thomas, crafting with daughter-in-law Martha and a enjoying a glass of Sauvignon Blanc with daughter-in-law Kim will be times treasured and missed.

Theresa is survived by her two sons Thomas (Martha Stanton) and Gregory (Kim Crosson), grandson Alex, bother James, and sister Barbara (Larry) Burbige, and 8 nieces and nephews. Theresa was preceded in death by her loving husband of 63 years, Joseph. She was also preceded in death by niece Susan and nephew Johnny.

VisItation is scheduled from 3-7pm on Wednesday, June 3rd at Oelker - Cox & Sinatra Funeral Home, 262 East Main Street, Mt. Kisco, NY. Mass of Christian burial 10am Thursday, June 4th at St Francis of Assisi Church, followed by burial at St Francis of Assisi Cemetery, Mt. Kisco, NY.