Theresa C. Delaney, 78, of Teaneck, New Jersey, passed away December 31, 2020, of complications associated with Multiple Myeloma. Her life ended peacefully on the last day of the year, but her loving heart and bright smile will be with us forever. Whether you were a friend for many years or you had just met Theresa, she made you feel heard, valued and loved.
Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, teacher and volunteer. Born and raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Temple University in 1964 with a dual degree in Education and Spanish. She was an accomplished linguist, speaking four different languages, and she enjoyed using her Italian and Spanish whenever she could. During the summers of 1966 and 1967, she attended Vermont’s Middlebury College to immerse herself in the study of Spanish, and she continued her Spanish studies in Mexico. It was at Middlebury where Theresa met the love of her life, Bill, and to witness their beautiful partnership was a gift.
Theresa began her teaching career in Philadelphia and taught in various communities before moving to Teaneck. She was passionate about education. For 40 years, she volunteered countless hours in numerous roles to help fund scholarships and programs for Teaneck’s worthy students. Theresa was an educational leader and a community pillar.
Her life was defined by her commitment to service and family: Her husband of more than 50 years, William Delaney; her children, Susan and Matthew, along with their respective spouses, Lawrence Frank and Margaret Delaney; and her grandchildren, Dillon and Caitlin Frank, and William, James, and Sean Delaney.
Theresa was dedicated to her parents: Her father, Blaise (Ben) Coco, Sr., who died in 1993, and her mother, Giovanna Coco, who at 107 still resides in the family home in Philadelphia. It was Theresa’s daily tradition to call her mom, chat with her in Italian as well as English, review recipes and sing lyrics she knew her aging mother would remember. Theresa’s recall of recipes was staggering. She was an excellent cook who created delicious meals for her family and friends, providing a loving table at which everyone was welcome.
To her siblings—older sister, Genevieve King, and younger brothers,
Anthony and Blaise Coco, Jr.—Theresa was the North Star, a true and steadfast guide. She was a model of caring, kindness and dependability. She was whipsmart, with a keen sense of humor, forever poised to share a story or a photograph. She never failed to evoke a broad smile from whomever was listening.
All of Theresa’s relatives and friends, no matter their age or connection, remember her many cards and notes, her unfailing remembrance of birthdays and anniversaries, her thoughtful phone calls and gestures. She was always eager to provide a meal on short notice or a ride to the doctor or the supermarket. To them, Theresa was an extraordinary human being who kept a mental calendar of dates significant to the needs of other people.
The love Theresa dispensed throughout her life is reciprocated tenfold. She will be missed by so many. A memorial service for Theresa will be planned when restrictions for gatherings are lifted.
As part of her legacy to the Teaneck Community, contributions may be made to fund a scholarship in Theresa’s name.
The link to the website is: https://www.communityscholarshipfund.org/
Checks can be written to:
Community Scholarship Fund of Teaneck
680 Albin Street Teaneck, NJ 07666
memo – Theresa C. Delaney Memorial Scholarship