Obituary of Teresa M Puccio

Teresa Brando was born on March 30, 1937, to Louis and Nunziata (Tessie) Brando at Evangelican Deaconess Hospital in Brooklyn. She was the only child of a first-generation Italian couple who were strict with her. She lived in a two-family brick house in Brooklyn with her grandmother Mary Rocco, great aunt Anna Rocco and two uncles, Joseph & Saviero Rocco. Her neighborhood was an Italian American community with men being Knights at the Knights of Columbus and women joining the Columbiettes. Her husband James Puccio was a Pharmacist and a 4th degree Knight and Teresa was the President of Columbiettes. Teresa is survived by her three children: Nancy Lawlor, Louis Puccio, James Puccio and her seven grandchildren: Louis Puccio, Jr., James Puccio, Vincent Puccio, Robert Lawlor, Kevin Lawlor, Teresa Puccio and Joseph Puccio. Teresa was predeceased by her beloved James in 1995. Teresa’s life journey is fascinating. It is filled with her heroism, irony, courage, loyalty, faith and strong belief in God. She has always been admired for her strength and smile. Her father was ill most of her childhood and it was difficult. He was epileptic and died when she was 16. She went to work at an early age to help her Mother financially. She attended Beautician school because she planned on marrying a professional man. When Teresa got married, her and her husband moved in with her Mother since she did not want her Mother to be alone. She promised her Father that she would never leave her Mother. The hardest times for Teresa were James’s four brain operations which spanned over thirty years starting in the 1960s when he was 26 years old. It was very stressful. After his first surgery, he became epileptic just like her father. Teresa relied on her strong faith in God to get her through it. Teresa was very clear that she would not do anything different. She would do it all over again. Her happiest times were with James and when her children were born. This is a true heart-warming love story with devotion and loyalty. Teresa always treasured James as well as her children and grandchildren. They meant the world to her. It is ironic for her to marry James and then 2 years later he becomes epileptic just like her father was. Teresa was a very strong woman. It was amazing how she always was smiling and consistently strong for James and her children remaining upbeat and positive. Teresa was very loyal, strong-willed person and had a strong faith in God. Her strong faith in God led her to an active Parishioner at St. Francis of Paola Church teaching Religious Education for over 40 years, be the President of the St. Teresa’s guild and the President of the Columbiettes. Teresa had a strong devotion to the Blessed Mother, Our Lady of Mount Carmel, St. Teresa, St. Anthony, St. Jude and the Sacred Heart of Jesus. She also was multi-talented teaching Ceramics & Art, being an Inspector on the Board of Elections, a librarian and President of the PTA. For recreation Teresa enjoyed many summers at their Mastic Beach Long Island vacation home with her husband, children, mother, father-in-law, uncles, aunts and cousins. They all enjoyed the beaches, fishing, barbequing and playing Michigan Rummy & Pokeno. Teresa will be lovingly remembered for her smile, strength, devotion, loyalty, faith and the memories that will live on in the hearts of all those who knew her. Teresa is now reunited with her Mother, Father, Grandmother, Aunts, Uncles and her beloved James. May Teresa rest in peace.