Teresa R. Wilseck

Teresa Wilseck died on November 13, 2012 at the age of 86. In March of 2008 she had moved from her beloved Texas to Charleston, West Virginia to be near her daughter. Teresa was born in Cameron, Texas to Leo and Mary (Zarosky) Ejem on October 10, 1926. Leo, his father, and brother immigrated to Texas from what is now the Czech Republic in 1918. Teresa, and her siblings, grew up picking cotton, taking care of the animals, and performing other farm chores, in addition to attending school.

Teresa married Joseph Wilseck on October 22, 1944. She met her soldier at a USO dance held in Cameron in 1944. The Ejem home was always open for dinner to soldiers on weekend leave from Fort Hood. Teresa and Joe lived in his hometown of Uniontown, Pa for 14 years before moving to Austin. Teresa worked for the Texas State Highway Department in downtown Austin for 25 years.

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, sister Dorothy Johnson, brother Frank Ejem, sister Irene Smith, and sister Mary Ann Tepera. She is survived by her daughter Mary Ann Price and son-in-law Philip of Charleston, West Virginia, grandson Bradford Price and his wife Rajeena of Washington, DC and granddaughter Megan Price of San Francisco, her beloved niece Nancy Anderson of Aransas Pass, Texas, as well as numerous nieces and cousins.

Special mention must go to Les and Vivian Deavers of Georgetown, much more than friends for over 50 years.

Teresa’s kindness drew only the best caregivers who helped when her mind failed to provide the answers. Belinda Cochran, Barbara Cooper, Ruthie Craddock, Debbie Kinder, Elizabeth Raines, Connie Casto, Sherry James, and Rosalee Elkins treated Teresa with dignity, kindness, and love. Teresa cared very deeply for these fine individuals. Words cannot express the appreciation of her family, particularly her daughter. Teresa’s last years were so much richer due to the efforts of these women.

Teresa always had a positive attitude. She believed if she worked hard enough, she could figure anything out. She made most of her daughter’s clothes, along with bedspreads and drapes. She liked to knit and crochet, bake, make candy, and collect coins and stamps. In addition to these practical hobbies she entered numerous contests (frequently winning prizes big and small), kept a weekly budget for lottery tickets, and traveled to Nevada and Louisiana with Nancy for gambling outings.

Teresa also made friends wherever she went. In 1964, her daughter had major back surgery in Houston. During her two-week stay, Mary Ann became friends with a nurse named Margaret. Traveling with her cousin, these two British women were working their way across America. Soon they were making a visit to the Wilseck house and over the years visits were made back and forth. As an example of her adventurous spirit, Teresa took her first trip outside North America at age 73 to visit Margaret in England.

Visitation will be from 6-8 pm, with a vigil at 7 pm, at Cook Walden Funeral Home in Pflugerville on Sunday November 18. Funeral services will be at St. Elizabeth of Hungary in Pflugerville at 10:00 am, followed by burial at 11 on Monday November 19.

Friends will get together at Bill Miller’s for barbeque following the service on Monday to celebrate the life of a remarkable woman. Teresa loved her home state of Texas, tending to her roses, her Catholic faith, and doing for others. She was always concerned about everyone else, never herself. Teresa was kind and loved life. She touched the life of everyone she met. She will be truly missed and remembered.

Online condolences can be left at http://www.dignitymemorial.com/.

In lieu of flowers, please make donations to the alzheimer’s association, alz.org.