Theresa "Teri" J. Castaldo Obituary - Visitation & Funeral Information

Theresa “Teri” J. Castaldo, passed away on Thursday at the Francis House with her family by her side. Born on Christmas Eve weighing just two pounds. The doctor didn’t expect her to survive so her name on her birth certificate is simply Female (or, as her family loves to call her “Fe-mall-EE”). Her grandmother lined a cheese box with cotton and placed her by the pilot light of the stove, feeding her breastmilk with an eye-dropper. She was orphaned at age two along with her baby sister, Caroline. With her grandma’s loving care she grew into a shy but brilliant child. Because of her academic standing she was about to enter a school for fashion and design but she had to leave school to then take care of her grandmother. She worked for Bergdorf Goodman where she developed her fashion sense and later as a switch board operator for the telephone company. She met George Castaldo on a blind date and it was love at first sight. They married in February of 1950 on a beautiful 78 degree day, but the following day a blizzard snowed them in so they were unable to leave the city for their honeymoon. Over the years, they raised their family of five children in the Bronx, Goshen, and Greenville NY. They later retired to Deltona, FL. Teri was a fabulous wife and mother. She loved to entertain. She was known for her delicious cooking which she shared with everyone she could. She enjoyed making dinner and sending it to the rectory. She even prepared and brought a complete gourmet meal to her radiation staff while battling cancer. She and her husband George enjoyed ballroom dancing, theater, and bowling. Although they could fight like two cats in a bag, they truly adored each other for over 72 years. As her Alzheimer’s progressed, they became more affectionate than ever. They were an example of true love to so many people. It was funny to watch the two of them watching TV together after he lost his hearing and she her sight. He would tell her what he saw on the screen and she would tell him the dialogue, but somehow it never seemed like they were watching the same movie. Her love for her children spilled over into the lives of her grandchildren and great grandchildren. Her family was her biggest joy in life. She also made everyone she met feel that they were loved just like a member of her family. She was a prayer warrior. Everyone knew if they had a test or event, they could mention it to her and she would be walking the yard praying the rosary. Her intercession was known to bump your grade up a few points, as Gina is well knows from her years in nursing school. For someone less than 5’, she was a force to be reckoned with. Many of us may remember her launching a 2L bottle of soda with a perfect football spiral during a “lively” discussion over pizza crust. She was passionate about her faith and her Italian heritage which included family pasta dinner every Sunday. Mom fought the Alzheimer monster with grace and dignity, everyone who met her couldn’t believe how sweet she as it is not typical with this disease. As her body and mind betrayed her she still found moments to dance (whenever she heard music) and love the Lord. She would always kiss you and say “GO WITH GOD” If you left her side and she blessed the people who were assisting her all the time. In her final days she was very much in the present. But even forming a sentence was excruciatingly difficult. You could see in her Eyes that she knew what she wanted to say but couldn’t find the right words. Slowly she was no longer hungry or one spoonful of food would fill her. Then she couldn’t remember how to sip with a straw than swallow. On July 21,2022 she no longer remembered to breath. She peacefully fell into the arms of her Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I ‘m sure moments later she was dancing again with the love of her life, George. Teri is survived by her children, George Castaldo Jr (Maria Isabel), Robert Castaldo Sr., Lisa (John) Kirby, John ( Dolores) Castaldo, Gina Viton; beloved grandmother of: Robert Castaldo Jr. (Jennifer), Jessica Castaldo, Candace Bemont (Tyler), John Kirby Jr. (Amy), Valerie Tucker (Andy), Tonia Axtell (Jesse), George Edward Castaldo, Ariel Hill (Tyler), John Castaldo Jr., Veronica Castaldo (Zachary), Jullia Castaldo (Joe Galanter), Giorgio Castaldo, James Viton (Jan Rosales). Cherished GiGi to her great grandchildren: Aysia, Indigo, and Silas Bemont; Xenia, Noah, Arland, and Layla Axtell; Syraphina, Gabriella, Jack, and Hudson Kirby; Carson, Cartor, Colbie, and Cathryne Hill; Ellowynne Tucker. Preceded in Death by her parents Josephine and Albert Ruocco, her beloved husband George V Castaldo Sr., Brothers-in-law Edward, William, Richard, Albert Castaldo, & John Durante; Sisters-in law Patricia, Lillian, Dorothy, & Rosa Castaldo; Son-in-law Joseph Viton & Great grandson Arland Axtell. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Friday, 10 am in St .Rose of Lima Church, 409 S Main St., North Syracuse. Entombment will take place in Deltona Memorial Gardens. Calling hours will be held on Thursday, July 28th from 4 to 6 pm at FARONE & SON, INC, Funeral Home, 4899 W. Taft Road, Liverpool, NY 13088. In lieu of flowers please consider making a donation to Francis House, 108 Michaels Ave, Syracuse, NY 13208 or at www.francishouseny.org

Theresa "Teri" J. Castaldo

December 24, 1930 - July 21, 2022