Obituary of Teresa A. Sweeney

Teresa A. Sweeney, of Johnson City, passed away Tuesday July 21, 2015 at Willow Point Nursing Home. Teresa was born in Wellington, New Zealand in 1924. She was predeceased by her husband, Robert G. Sweeney. She is survived by her nine children, Dr. Robert (Lynn) Sweeney, Sheila McKendree (Matt Fox), Phillip Sweeney (Alexis Cacyak), Colleen (Jim) Ford, Kevin Sweeney, Karen (Dr. Vincent O'Dock), James (Sheila) Sweeney, Terry Mokol and Patti Lewis (Joe Billingiere); 23 grandchildren; 23 great-grandchildren; a brother, Michael (Rosemarie) Hughes; a sister, Sheila Cable; three sisters-in-law, Rosemarie Sweeney, Ina Hughes and Marie Hughes; many nieces and nephews. Teresa had a wonderful life. At the end of WWII, she boarded a ship in Wellington, New Zealand to come to the United States. It was not until she arrived in Panama that she discovered that there were British troops on their way home below decks. She and other young women (some were war brides) were transported across Panama on armed busses to catch ships going to New Orleans. In New Orleans, she took a train to Philadelphia where she met her fiancé who was in his Marine Corps dress blues having recently returned from the Pacific. Teresa and Robert were married for 51 years. Teresa worked as a secretary for the Binghamton School District. While raising her nine children, she returned to school and received a Bachelor's Degree in History from Binghamton University. Teresa was a member of American Legion Post 80 Auxiliary and the Retired Public Employees Association of NY State. The family wishes to thank the staff of North 1, Willow Point Nursing Home for their kind and compassionate care of our mother. A Funeral Mass will be offered at St. Patrick's Church, Leroy St., Binghamton on Saturday at 9:30am. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Johnson City. The family will receive friends at the J.A. McCormack Sons Funeral Home, 141 Main St., Binghamton on Friday from 5-7pm.