Who was born in Greenwood, SC on February 25, 1919 died on January 25, 2013, just one month before her 94th birthday.
Theo was married to her husband Vincent P. Amatrano, MD for over fifty years at the time of his death in 1994.
She was predeceased by her parents, Lucile and Buren Mitchell, her sister Avis Colee Swoop Shybly, and her brother Mike Mitchell and her sister-in-law Anna Amatrano Bordenstein and husband Buddy.
Her early years were spent in Key West, FL where her father worked for the Florida East Coast Champion Railroad. The family moved to New Smyrna Beach, FL in 1932 and she graduated from New Smyrna Beach High School. Theo attended Gallagher School of Nursing in Washington, DC. Upon receiving her RN degree, she worked at Gallagher Hospital where she met her future husband, Vincent, a young intern from Georgetown University School of Medicine. They were married in Washington DC on November 29, 1941. While they were on their honeymoon, the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.
An Army Air Force Reservist, Dr. Amatrano was called back to Washington DC and like so many of the “Greatest Generation” began serving in the South Pacific in 1942. Upon his discharge, they moved to Kingston, NY. There Theo helped her husband in his practice for over 30 years. She was the office nurse until 1950. They then moved house and office to 262 Broadway and she became Command Central, helping arrange appointments, house calls and filling in as a nurse. She also raised their four children, served as president of the Benedictine Hospital Auxiliary, and served on many committees for St. Mary’s Roman Catholic Church and Saint Ursula’s Academy.
Theo and Vince loved traveling around the world. They enjoyed the grace Lines Stockholder Cruises to the Caribbean every November. They took the family all over the United States and Canada, loved the NY theatre and racing at Saratoga in the summer. Upon retiring to River Bend, Tequesta, Florida, Theo played golf with the 9 holer’s, volunteered at the Jupiter Hospital Thrift Shop for over 25 years, and continued to travel with Vince. She was his special nurse during his four year bout with Cancer.
She is survived by one son and three daughters, Vincent Amatrano, wife Bonnie of Phoenicia, NY and daughters Megan and Faye; Peggy Fallon, husband Joe of Hobe Sound, FL and her three children; Rosemary Preisser Horvath, husband Jim and their two sons Jimmy and Paulie; John A. Preisser, wife Catherine and their two children, Parker and Whitney; and Paul V. Preisser, wife Tanya and daughter Shelby; Lucille Manganallo, husband Joseph of New Jersey and her son and daughter-in-law, Michael and Lisa Tuft, and step-son Chris Manganallo; Helen Amatrano Feldman and husband Mark of New York City and St. Petersburg, FL. Also survived by her brother Jack Mitchell, a retired NYC celebrity photographer of New Smyrna Beach, FL (he took the photo above). Theo also leaves nieces Diane Fleight, Anne Burhans, and Suzanne Colee, and nephews Fred and Frank Bordenstein, Harold (Julian) and Curtis Colee. Many devoted family and friends.
A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00 am, Tuesday, January 29th at St. Jude Roman Catholic Church, 204 US Highway 1, Tequesta. There will be a viewing preceding the Mass at 9:30 am, Aycock-Riverside Funeral Home 1112 Military Trail, Jupiter.
The family suggests donations to Vitas Hospice 110 Century Blvd, West Palm Beach, FL 33417 or to Regis Prep School, 55 E 84th Street, New York, NY 10028.
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