WORCESTER___Terese Gedvilas died peacefully on December 14, 2007 at the age of 92. She lived at 10 Dell Avenue in Worcester for 50 years. She is survived by her beloved children, Vito Gedvilas, Jonas Gedvilas, Birute Vazquez who lived with her and Lilia Gedvilas Chavez of Worcester. Her daughter Ruta died as an infant in Germany. Her devoted son-in-law Gabriel Vazquez lives in Worcester.
Terese was the daughter of Juozas Lenkas and Ursule Saukaityte and was born in Liubavas, Lithuania. Her mother died shortly after her birth and she was raised by her stepmother Ona. During World War II she was separated from her family and displaced from her homeland. Terese survived her siblings, Ona, Ada, Leonija, Albinas and Petras. The Soviet era prevented her from seeing her family. After Independence her sister Ada came for a yearlong visit in 1988. Terese’s great niece Inga Valaitis accompanied Ada and stayed on to live with the Gedvilas family for several years. Inga and her husband Eric Miller reside in Fairfield, Connecticut.
Terese lived in a refugee resettlement camp in Seligendstat, Germany where she met her husband of 55 years John Gedvilas who passed away in 2001. Terese and John came to the USA in 1950 with their two older children and settled down in Worcester where they had two more children. Terese was completely devoted to the care and nurturing of her family. After retiring from a lifelong career as a seamstress she helped to raise her four grandsons who grew up in Worcester and spent every afternoon with their grandparents.
Terese leaves five grandsons, Gabriel, Stephen, Michael and Christopher Vazquez and Romas Gedvilas. Gabriel and Christopher live in Worcester; Romas is currently in the U.S. Army at Ft. Hood, Texas. Stephen and his wife Lisa Haney live in New York City as does Michael and his wife Karen Tarbell and their two boys William and Daniel.
Terese’s entire world revolved around her family’s well-being and the care of her home and garden. She also spent many summers at the family cottage at Nantasket Beach. Over the past two years Terese expanded her world to include Summit Elder Care. She appreciated the staff that transported her daily and those who provided her healthcare and socialization.
Terese was a member of St. Casimir Parish in Worcester. Her funeral Mass will be celebrated Thursday December 20 at 10:00 a.m. in St. Casimir Churh, 41 Providence Street. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery. Calling hours are Wednesday from 5 to 7 p.m. in HENRY-DIRSA FUNERAL HOME, 33 Ward Street, Worcester. Flowers may be sent or contributions in her memory may be made to St. Casimir Church, 41 Providence Street, Worcester, MA., 01604.