Theresa Papaleo

Theresa Papaleo, age 88, of Toms River, NJ, passed away peacefully on December 15, 2025, at Southern Ocean Nursing and Rehab. She was born in The Bronx, NY, where she lived for 33 years. It was there that she met the love of her life, Michael V. Papaleo, to whom she was married for 59 years. They moved to Toms River and enjoyed life together on the Jersey shore for half a century.

Theresa worked as a legal secretary on Wall Street and later as a teaching assistant in the Toms River Regional School District. She also earned her real estate license and worked for Century 21 in Toms River. Throughout her entire life, Theresa was an active member of the Catholic Church. She was a member of the Altar and Rosary Society for many years, and she enjoyed hosting weekly prayer groups at her home. She was also a member of the Toms River Twigs, which helped fundraise for the local hospital.

She also volunteered for the Arc in Ocean County and volunteered many hours at the Toms River branch of the Ocean County Library. Theresa enjoyed reading, going to church, and spending time with her family and friends. Gatherings at her home were always warm and wonderful, filled with food, joy, and - most abundantly of all – love. Theresa is predeceased by her beloved husband, Michael V. Papaleo, and her brother, Michael Losquadro.

Theresa is survived by her two sons, Michael P. Papaleo (Yvonne) and Stephen J. Papaleo (Li), her daughter, Joanne Caltagirone (Andrew), her five grandchildren, David Adams (Alex), Michelle Price (David), Michael Papaleo (Efaf), Daniel Papaleo (Briana), and Stephen Papaleo, and her three great-grandchildren, Joseph, Nicholas, and Elliot.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 22, 2025 at 11:00AM at St. Justin the Martyr Church, 975 Fischer Blvd., Toms River. Entombment will follow at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Toms River. Donations may be made in Theresa’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.