Theresa (Rizzo) McGowan

Theresa (Rizzo) McGowan, 93, of Meriden and formerly of East Hartford, passed away peacefully in her sleep on Tuesday, March 11, 2014 at The Village at Kensington Place, Meriden. Theresa was the loving wife of 68 years to the late William E. ""Bill"" McGowan, Jr. Born in Hartford on October 28, 1920, a daughter of the late Andrew and Eufemia (Sarli) Rizzo, she had been a resident of East Hartford for 56 years prior to moving to Meriden over three years ago. She was a graduate of Bulkeley High School, Hartford, Class of 1938. Prior to her retirement she was employed for many years by the City of Hartford-Department of Licenses and Inspections. Theresa loved to read, sew, and bake. She was an avid fan of the UCONN Women's and Men's basketball teams, the Boston Red Sox, and the Boston Celtics. Most of all, Theresa was a gentle, caring woman who gave endless love to her family and friends. She was a very special woman and it showed in the friendships she created with her caregivers and everyone she came in contact with. Besides her beloved husband and parents, she was predeceased by two sisters, Kitty DiScipio of Glastonbury, Annette Sika of East Hartford; two brothers, Michael Rizzo of Vero Beach, FL, Andrew Rizzo, Jr. of Meriden; and several in-laws. Theresa is survived by her caring and devoted children, Sandra M. Sequenzia and her husband, Frank, of Southington; William M. ""Bill"" McGowan and his wife, Joan, of Southington; four special grandchildren, Kelly Bess and her husband, Bryan, of Lititz, PA, Frank L. Sequenzia and his wife, Lee-Ann, of Sandy Hook, Adam McGowan and his wife, Jennifer, of Boston, MA, Chase McGowan and his fiancé, Haley, of Brooklyn, NY; four adored great-grandchildren, TJ Sequenzia and his wife, Kelli, of St. Cloud, FL, Matthew, Nathan, and Melanie Bess all of Lititz, PA; and one great-great grandson, Cayden James Sequenzia. She also leaves a brother, Dominic Rizzo of Rocky Hill; two sisters, Angie Kluntz of Sebastian, FL, Marylou Roe of Anthem, AZ; two sisters-in-law, Shirley Rizzo of Meriden, Rita Rizzo of Vero Beach, FL; many nieces, nephews, and dear friends. Funeral services will be Friday (March 14th) at 9 am from the D'Esopo-East Hartford Memorial Chapel, 30 Carter Street, East Hartford with a Mass of Christian Burial celebrated at 10 am at St. Mary's Church, corner of Main Street/Maplewood Avenue, East Hartford. Burial will follow at St. Mary's Cemetery, (Section R-2), Burnside Avenue, East Hartford. Relatives and friends may call at the funeral home chapel on Thursday (March 13th) from 4-7 pm. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in Theresa's name may be made to the American Lung Association , 45 Ash Street, East Hartford, CT 06108. Terry's family would like to extend their sincere gratitude and appreciation to the entire staffs and caregivers of VITAS and The Village at Kensington Place for their professionalism, kindness, care, and compassion given to Terry and her entire family. For on-line expressions of sympathy to the family please visit www.desopo.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/hartfordcourant/obituary.aspx?n=theresa-mcgowan&pid=170129289&fhid=4120#sthash.8AqEUtPl.dpuf