Theresa A. Mele

Theresa Antionette Mele, a longtime resident of Crofton, MD, passed away peacefully at the Anne Arundel Medical Center, Annapolis, MD on January 2nd a week after suffering a stroke.

Theresa was born in Schenectady, NY on March 1, 1931, to Ida (Capobianco) and Pasquale Mele.

Theresa attended high school in Schenectady NY, graduating with honors in 1948. She then entered the Order of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet, and for the next 20 years she taught students of all ages in a school teaching career that included a 10-year stint in Hawaii. Theresa completed her undergraduate degree while teaching in Hawaii. Theresa left the order in 1968 and moved to Chicago. There she completed her master’s degree in education at Northeastern Illinois State College (now University), through a special grant for educators from the Lyndon Johnson Administration. After successfully completing her thesis, she moved to the Washington D.C. area to work at the National Library of Medicine in Bethesda. 

Theresa’s lifelong love was working with and teaching children. Her next and final career encompassed teaching in the Prince George’s County School System, first as a classroom teacher, then as a reading specialist, and finally as a part of the prestigious Floating Faculty of Prince George’s County. Theresa was considered to be a stellar teacher and resource person for other teachers. She was innovative and flexible with her teaching methods, and she was considered by all to be very successful in teaching children to read and think for themselves. After retiring in 1993, Theresa continued to mentor students in reading at the local elementary schools and on a private basis. Teaching children to read was her passion. 

Theresa was a very principled person who did not hesitate to challenge authority, especially when less fortunate groups were being restricted. From an early age she strongly supported broad rights for women and Native Americans. Fair treatment for all individuals was a cause she supported throughout her life and was especially exemplified by her strong support for public school students. She was most proud of her work with students of need.

She was an avid reader and had a quick wit. She often used these traits, sharing jokes and quotes, to engage with family and friends. Notably, she loved interacting with two generations of nieces and nephews, both by challenging them with ideas and principles but also by treating them with affection and love. She delighted in hearing about and meeting, when possible, yet a younger third generation of nieces and nephews. Nieces and nephews quickly learned that they could expect a range of questions and comments from her but also a personal and supportive relationship. These interactions gave her great satisfaction and were evident up until the last weeks of her life.

Theresa is predeceased by her parents, by her sisters, Vivian, Helen Sulivan, and Mary Lilla and by her brothers Dominick, Frank, and Peter, and by her nieces Mary Manzoni and Nancy Mele Anas. She is survived by her brother Fernando and his wife Emma, and also by many nieces and nephews and wonderful friends.