Teresa A. LemeryWaterville-Teresa A. Lemery (Reilly), our beloved mother, passed away peacefully at her home, on the evening of April 21, 2021 at the age of 89 with the love and blessing of her family, with her family by her side.Teresa was born on March 24, 1932, to the parents of Cyril and Mary Reilly, in Oriskany Falls. She graduated high school from Oriskany Falls High School, and shortly after, on July 25, 1953 she married John L. Lemery, until his death in 1999. Teresa worked most of her career in the hospitality service industry working for SUNY Morrisville College and Colgate University for many years where she enjoyed meeting new people and making new friends.Teresa and John raised 4 children, Deborah, Karen, David and Gayle. Her life was dedicated to her family including extended family, her Catholic faith, her work and service to the community. This is what brought her joy and why she was so loved and respected. Only very special people can balance and achieve this. She mastered it. If you met Teresa, she would leave an impact. She would perfectly be her authentic self: a loyal, patient, kind, funny, understanding, bold, humble, brave, forgiving and beautifully an imperfect woman. She was an exceptional wife, mother, sister, sister- in- law, aunt, cousin, grandmother, great grandmother and friend.Teresa enjoyed a long and full life. After retirement, she continued to serve her God, family and community. She was a volunteer at many community programs including CWEG swim program, the aquatic exercise program at Colgate University. She was a volunteer instructor, a member of the Board, and wore many other hats administratively, she helped out where she was needed. Teresa looked forward to her water exercise classes and teaching them three times a week. She also devoted her time to: Worn Again Clothing Store in Hamilton, the local election voting board, as a pollster, and her beloved parishes in the area, including St. Mary's, St. Bernard and St. Joe's, where she helped with many things, again, wearing several hats. She enjoyed also volunteering at the Morrisville Library. Teresa enjoyed seeing and spending time with her friends of many years, and new friends she met along the way, including many close friends of her children, and many co-workers and acquaintances. She enjoyed visiting with many family members, including: sisters-in-law, brothers-in-laws, grandchildren and nieces and nephews. Teresa enjoyed helping others and would be there for anyone, no matter the need. She enjoyed her independence and right up till the end, Teresa was independent in many ways including living in her own home, which was very important to her. She lived life on her terms, and enjoyed everyone in her life. She looked forward to her daughter coming to her home many times through the week, and the trips to get coffee and run errands. Teresa loved her son taking her to lunch and having her over often, taking her on vacations, and attending many of her grandson's school and athletic events. It was a full life she enjoyed. Teresa always looked forward to visits from her daughter who lived out of state; she made several trips to Oregon to visit her daughters also. Teresa was a devoted parishioner attending church services throughout the three parishes and was often accompanied by her good friend Lurena McNamara. Family and friends were her life, and as much as she embraced them, they embraced her also. What a blessing.Teresa is survived by her children, Deborah Smith of Eaton; her four children, Rick Hill, Tricia Goodrich, Bridgette Harrell and Ryan Hill; David and Lynne Lemery of Waterville, and their two sons, Michael and Mitchell Lemery; Gayle Lemery-Lutes of Portland, Oregon, and her two sons, Travis and Brock Lutes; her sister, Mary Reilly of Waterville and a brother Fred Reilly of Oriskany Falls. Teresa was predeceased by her brother Raymond Reilly. Her one daughter, Karen Murphy of Lincoln City, Oregon passed away in 2000, and Karen's surviving children, Denae Murphy and Devin Murphy also survive Teresa. Teresa's Funeral Mass will be at St. Mary's Catholic Church in Hamilton, on Monday April 26, 2021 at 10am, where the Rev, Jason Hage will officiate. Interment will be made in St. Joseph's Catholic Cemetery, Oriskany Falls. There will be no prior public calling hours. Following graveside services, Teresa's family will be in attendance at the Oriskany Falls Masonic Hall to visit with friends and neighbors, all are welcome to attend, due to the current Covid-19 Crisis, facial masks must be worn, social distancing must be maintained, and adjusted total capacity must be followed. Teresa's family have entrusted her care to the Paul Funeral Home of Madison. To offer a condolence or share a memory, please visit paulfuneralhome.netIn memory of Teresa, and in lieu of flowers, please make donations to either of the parishes of St. Mary's, St. Bernard's, and St. Joseph's Catholic Churches.ServiceMonday, April 26, 2021 10:00 AM
St. Mary's Catholic Church
Wylie Street Hamilton 13346, United States