Theresa Caruso Stephenson

Theresa’s life began April 28, 1933 in Dowagiac, the daughter of Antonio and Amelia (Spagnola) Caruso. She was united in marriage to George Stephenson in October of 1954 at Holy Maternity of Mary Catholic Church in Dowagiac. She was a parishioner at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Sister Lakes, a member of Junior Arts in Dowagiac and an alumni of St. Mary’s College. Theresa loved growing her roses and bird watching. She moved away to Stillwater, OK in 1985 and returned to Dowagiac in 2009. Her greatest joy was her family which includes her daughters Lisa (Rod) Pendergrass of Tyron, NC, Laura (Tony) Sanchez of China Springs, TX, Julie (Steve) Johnson of Dowagiac and Jane Wright of Sister Lakes, grandchildren Luke Sanchez of China Springs, TX, Brandon Sparks of Owasso, OK, and Cassie Sparks , Cory, Kyle and Sara Wright, all of Dowagiac, Zachary Johnson of Dowagiac great grandchild Quianna Murray of Dowagiac, her brother Antonio Caruso II of Niles, and several nieces and nephews. Theresa passed away on Friday September 2, 2011 at the Cass County Medical Care Facility. She is preceded in death by her husband George in 2009, her grandson Evan Sanchez, sisters Josephine Marazita, and Julia Rutherford, brother Paul Caruso and son in law John Wright. Her family will gather with friends on Monday from 5-8 p.m. at Yazel & Clark Chapel where Deacon Frank Wesolowski will lead a Rosary service at 7 p.m. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Tuesday at 10 a.m. at Sacred Heart of Mary Catholic Church by Father Kevin Covert. Theresa will be laid to rest in Sacred Heart of Mary Cemetery following the service. Memorial contributions in her name may be directed to the family for a downtown Dowagiac memorial for the Caruso family. Please sign her guestbook and leave a memory of Theresa at www.yazel-clark.com.