Theresa Helen Utz, of Fort Collins, CO passed away peacefully on Saturday, June 5th, 2021, with her loving family by her side. She was 88 years old. Theresa was born in Bethlehem, PA, on November 1st, 1932 to the late Michael and Elizabeth (Polefka) Galley. She graduated from Bethlehem High School and was the Bethlehem City Tennis Champion in her junior year.
Theresa married the late Robert L. Utz in 1952 and through their 59 years together, they resided in multiple locations from the mid-Atlantic to south Florida. She worked in retail distribution and clerical office work, but most importantly Theresa was a devoted wife and loving mother to her three children. After the death of her husband, Theresa moved to Fort Collins, CO in 2012 to be close to her daughter, Suzanne.
Theresa loved her Hungarian ancestry and one of the highlights in her life was having the opportunity to travel to Budapest. Her love of playing tennis from a young age carried through to the many hours she watched the sport in later years.
All who met Theresa fell in love with her positive attitude and “giggle”. She was always smiling and never complained, no matter what difficulty she was going through. Her competitive spirit carried her through her later years of illness, with her doctors and nurses regularly commenting on what a fighter she was. Theresa cherished time spent with family the most, and she often pondered how her kids turned out so well, but they know the reasons why.
Theresa is survived by her son Robert L. Utz Jr. and his wife Pat of Cockeysville, MD, son Bruce A. Utz and his wife Maureen of Ponte Vedra Beach, FL, and daughter Suzanne U. Saboy and her husband Mike of Windsor, CO. She is also survived by six grandchildren, Holly Utz, Rob Utz and his wife Sarah, Christine Utz, Lindsey (Utz) Brooks and her husband Adam, Brian Saboy and Jennifer Saboy. She was also blessed with four great grandchildren.
A Catholic memorial mass and burial will be held at a later date in Cockeysville, MD. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Theresa’s honor to the USTA Foundation, whose mission is to bring tennis and education together to change lives for under-resourced youth.
USTA Foundation
70 West Red Oak Lane
White Plains, NY 10604
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