Theresa B Dembowski's Obituary
Theresa Dembowski was a caring wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother and friend. She will be remembered for her warm smile and unconditional love and had a long-lasting impact on all those who knew her.
Theresa ‘Tree’ Dembowski, age 88, passed away peacefully on December 3, 2021 at home with family at her side. She is survived by husband of 68 years Richard Dembowski; children Greg (Pat) Dembowski, Jacquie (Randy) Granados and Pam (Jim) Reindel; sisters Anna and Josie; grandchildren Todd (Ashley), Lindsay (Rob), Tarah (Matt), Tim, Nate, Erica and Alex; and great grandchildren Penelope, Nico, Ava, Cooper and Isla. She is preceded in death by her siblings John, Joe, Mary, Helen, Ed and Jim.
Theresa was born March 12, 1933 in Commodore, Pennsylvania to Barbara Tomon and Joseph Piecuch (later changed to Pesto). Throughout her youth, she loved playing basketball and was often the only girl on a boys’ team for a pick-up game. She graduated from St. John Cantius High School in 1951 and soon after met Rich; they married in 1953.
Rich and Theresa bought Dempsey's Oasis Tavern in 1967 where they worked long hours to grow the business from a local beer joint to a popular neighborhood restaurant. They sold the family business in 1999, retired and moved to the Greenbriar community in North Royalton, Ohio. But Theresa wasn’t ready to slow down after leaving the South Side. For the next 21 years, she was an active member of the community serving on committees, helping organize social events, and gathering with her Friday morning social group. Rich and Theresa joined St. Colette Catholic Church where she volunteered preparing fish fry dinners during the Lenten Season. She loved to exercise including yoga, belly dancing, tai chi and water aerobics. Her favorite pastime was line dancing followed by a night out with her friends.
Theresa was a thoughtful homemaker, always decorating with the latest trend for every holiday and actively celebrating her Polish heritage by baking and preparing home cooked meals for her family.
She took pride in maintaining her flower and vegetable gardens. Music always echoed throughout her house; she loved Engelbert Humperdinck, Johnny Mathis and watching Lawrence Welk reruns. She loved craft making, scrapbooking and making photo albums for her grandchildren. She always kept up with the family, despite the challenges imposed by distance and COVID-19, always learning to adapt by looking at pictures on Facebook and Zoom video chatting with family and friends. She was the loving matriarch of the family and her grandchildren were precious to her, especially her greats.
Spending time with family was her greatest joy; “party, party, party” she would say with the hope that a night with family playing games and laughing would never end. Her favorite drink was a margarita with tonic water, yes tonic water. Theresa knew what she wanted and there was no changing her mind. Maybe stubborn at times, Theresa had a zest for life and anyone who spent time with her was a better person for it.
Theresa will never be forgotten by anyone who knew her. May she rest in peace, line dancing and playing Rummikub with angels up in Heaven.
Visitation will be held at Jardine Funeral Home 15822 Pearl Road, Strongsville, OH 44136, Thursday December 9, 2021, from 3-7PM. Funeral Mass will be held at St. Colette Catholic Church, 330 W. 130th St. Brunswick, OH 44212 Friday December 10, 2021 at 11AM. Interment will be set at a later date. Memorial contributions may be made to Thomas P. Perciak Family Residential Hospice, 18659 Drake Road, Strongsville, OH 44136.
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