Philomina Mary Lepski

Born as Philomina Mary Tardio on September 17,1925, in Pelham, NY Philomina graduated from Pelham Memorial High School with the class of 1944. She went on to become an RN and worked in the New Rochelle Hospital until she joined the United States Army Nurse Corps as a 1st Lieutenant in 1954 retiring as a Lt. Colonel Tardio in 1974.

Her many state side assignments included a tour at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point. Overseas Philomina served in Germany, Korea, Italy, and Vietnam. Her awards include campaign ribbons, Vietnam Service Medal, the Bronze Star Medal, the Vietnam Gallantry Cross w/Palm, the Army Commander Medal, the Armed Forces Reserve Medal (2nd Award), and the Army Commendation Medal with First Oak Leaf Cluster. In 1973 LTC Philomina Tardio was selected to receive the Italian Woman of Achievement Award.

EULOGY BY TED LEPSKI...

Philomina Tardio Lepski

My mom, passed away in 1968. I was 16 years old. In 1975 Philomina married Dad. For 46 years Philomina was a wonderful stepmother to me and my 5 brothers and sisters.

Who does that? I mean really. Who at the age of fifty, just retired from a career as an army nurse, marries into a family of six children? The answer is, of course, Philomina.

From High School, until the day she said hello to our Lord in person, Philomina’s life is a record of service and leadership. Literally, on her last day on earth, I watched Philomina coach the nurses attending her about proper sanitation in the hospital environment.

One has only to read her obituary to see what an extraordinary person she was. However, only a very few people knew of her accomplishments. She simply did not speak of them. When someone would remark about her life of service, she would say it was a privilege to serve and nothing special. The very next thing she would do was to question the person about their life, their struggles and their faith. Philomina was a prodigious evangelist. Reminding all about the importance of faith and obedience to God.

As a newlywed, she and dad moved back into her mother’s house for three years, caring her after her mom had suffered a sudden onset of blindness. On the back of one of the photographs of her mother, Philomina wrote, “A most wonderful woman”. She really loved her mom in word and deed.

For me, as I am sure for some here, Philomina became a confessor. I shared with her some of my darkest moments. She would not judge me but rather would compassionately encourage me. I will deeply miss those conversations.

Philomina saw the good in people and would always praise their accomplishments. She loved each and everyone one of the family and felt the parents have done a wonderful job raising exemplary children. She never hesitated to tell others about her family. She had a deep affection and a real concern for us all. I witnessed Philomina praying for each person in the family. I believe she did this every day.

Philomina felt that, if Jesus was the “Cornerstone” of God’s temple on earth, she was a “building block”. As such, Philomina determined to be the strongest building block that she could be. So that, those people God put in her life, the other “building blocks” next her, could always rely upon her God given strength.

One of those persons was my dad. The last few years of his life were physically tough.

Because he was fiercely independent, it was also tough spiritually and emotionally. Philomena’s daily routine revolved around taking care of Dad. For that, I am deeply grateful.

After dad died, Philomina would particularly miss Dad when, it was time to wake him, but he was not in bed, when it was time to give him medication, but he was not at his desk, when it was time to report to the dining room for the evening meal and when she would make Dad a cup coffee before leaving him at the computer and going to bed, but her “Ted” was not there. I would visit her after Dad passed away, and at times catch her quietly weeping because she would open the kitchen cabinet for his meds and realize Dad was no longer at his desk.

This pain of separation was a beautiful reminder of the strength and depth of their shared love. A severe mercy. It was Philomina’s love for and trust in Christ that sustained her these last five months. She too, was a fiercely independent person. It galled her to have to use a cane or to have someone drive her to the doctor’s office. She said she recognized God was working on her pride and prayerfully would confess, thankful that God was teaching her humility.

Amazingly, during this time of trial, Philomina still cared for and encouraged all the people in her life. Probably we all have, in the last five months, been blessed by this magnificent person.

One of the proudest days of my life was recently when Philomina finally told me I could drop the “step part” and just call her “Mom”.

I am one of many who have been the beneficiary of God’s gift, Philomina. We will always carry our dear Philomina in our hearts.

After retirement, Philomina enjoyed and spent many hours as a volunteer. In 1978 she was appointed as an American Red Cross Nurse and volunteered in the Blood Bank. She also served as a literacy volunteer, tutored English as a second language, volunteered for the Youth Service Board, Hospital Volunteer and worked for Catholic Charites. She often would say the rewards of volunteering far outweighed the effort.

Philomina also found the time to enjoy cooking, swimming, tennis and become an excellent cross-country skier. This wonderful and energetic woman was very much loved and admired by all those she knew and worked with.

For 46 years Philomina was the very loving and devoted wife of Col. Theodore J. Lepski until he passed away in June of this year. She married Ted in 1975 becoming a mother to his six children. Philomina is predeceased by her brother, Joseph Tardio, Sr. She is survived by five of her stepchildren, Mary Kathryn Krotseng, Theodore J. Lepski, Patricia M. Pruitt, Eileen M. Hicks and William A. Lepski, her nephews, Joseph Tardio Jr., Christopher Tardio and her niece, Virginia G. Fanti.

Philomina’s devout faith in God was foundational to her life of service to others. The wisdom she earned in that life she tried to impart to all of us. Always encouraging us to keep going. We all will miss that encouraging voice.

Visitation will be Thursday December 2, 2021 from 5 to 8 p.m. at the D’Elia Funeral Home, 1300 Vermont Avenue, Lakewood, NJ 08701. Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9:15 a.m. on Friday, December 3, 2021 in St. Luke’s Church, 1674 Old Freehold Rd., Toms River, NJ 08755. Burial will follow in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, New Rochelle, NY.