Theresa C. Schocher

On January 21, 2026, long time New City resident, Theresa “Terry” Centa Schocher, passed from this life. “Mom-Mom” was the last of a dying breed of true gentlewomen who was admired by friends and family for her love of family, Church, and friends as well as her fierce independence.

Born to Mathias and Centa (Seiler) Benzinger on August 27, 1933, she was raised in Brooklyn, NY and leaves behind a younger brother, Michael.

Terry married the love of her life, Ralph Schocher, in 1951, moved to Whitestone, NY, and finally to New City in 1966 where they raised their six children, Chris, Diane, Debra, Lynne, Glenn and Kathy.

Ralph and Terry renewed their 50th wedding vows in a memorable celebration in 2001 and they were in their 62nd year of marriage when Ralph passed in 2012. Terry adored spending time with her children, her 14 grandchildren and 8 great grandchildren. She was also dedicated to helping to provide for her large family however and whenever she could.

In addition to helping with Boy Scout and Brownie events in the early years (her Christmas Caroling events were legendary), she helped clean the homes of acquaintances for a time - acquaintances who became lifetime friends - and later assumed the roll of front desk assistant for a tennis athletic club. Eventually Mom-Mom landed the position of Financial Assistant for Prudential Financial Services, where she worked for many years until her retirement at age 72.

In her younger years, she was an avid tennis and bridge player, often entertaining “the girls” at her house for long evenings of Bridge, chatter, and laughter. But Terry’s first and true love was art. She was a gifted painter and for a number of years painted temporary but magical Christmas scenes on the family’s large living room window to celebrate the season. Her ceramics filled the house.

She had an adventurous nature even in her final years and could be found attending Canine Dock Diving competitions as an observer with her daughter or out at local parks and scenic by-ways enjoying the views over picnic lunches and good conversation with children and grandchildren.

She loved getting all dressed up and heading out for dinner and a drink or having the whole gang over to her place for a pot luck weekend. Her house was the congregating point for the family right up until the end. We will miss her!