Theresa F. Reale

Theresa Reale, age 91, of Quincy, formerly of Port Charlotte, FL and Hanover, MA,  passed away peacefully at her home on Sunday, August 12, surrounded by family.

Tess was the devoted wife of 68 years to Albert Reale, and a wonderful, loving mother of 12 children: David Reale, Ann Reale, Joe Reale, Mary Hrebenak, Al Reale Jr., Patricia Yukna, Peggy Nelson Doherty, Jim Reale, Cathy Emery, Danny Reale, Theresa Spear and the late Lynn Reale Wolbarst. Tess was also a dear mother-in-law, and treasured her 21 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and many nieces and nephews. She will also be fondly remembered by many dear friends.

Tess was born in the Bronx, NY in 1927 to Molly and Joseph Petrone. She moved to Connecticut as a teenager and graduated from Willimantic High School. She went on to graduate from the University of Connecticut at Storrs where she was the president of her sorority, Alpha Delta Pi.  Tess was a microbiologist, and worked at the state public health laboratory in Hartford before marrying and starting a family. It was love at first sight when she met her future husband, Al, at UConn. Tess loved being a mother. Even with twelve children, she managed to make each of them feel special, and always said that they were all unique in their own wonderful way “like facets of a diamond.”  Tess had a tremendous sense of humor, and nothing delighted her more than laughing, dancing and being surrounded by family.  She enjoyed a good joke– even when it was at her own expense. Her radiant smile lit up the room, and she made a difference in the lives of everyone she met. Devout in her Catholic faith, Tess was an active member at St. Mary’s church in Hanover and later, at St. Charles Borromeo’s in Port Charlotte, FL.

Relatives and friends are respectfully invited to attend the visiting hours on Thursday August 16 from 3-7 PM in the McDonald Keohane Funeral Home SOUTH WEYMOUTH at 809 Main Street (Rte 18 opp. So. Shore Hospital). A Funeral Mass celebrating Tess’ life will be held at 10am on Friday, August 17 at St. Mary of the Sacred Heart in Hanover, MA. Burial will be private at a later date at Massachusetts National Cemetery in Bourne, MA.

Donations in Tess’ memory may be made to the Beth Reale Foundation at http://www.bethreale.org.