Theresa Pittman

Beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother Theresa Devereaux Pittman, 98, passed away on August 8, 2011. Born May 25, 1913, she resided for most of her life on Townley Avenue in Union, NJ. She was a school teacher when World War II was declared and volunteered for military service. With her abilities in math and science, she was selected for the Naval Reserve Midshipman's School at Smith College in Northampton, MA, where she graduated at the top of her class. Upon graduation in January 1944, Theresa was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy WAVES, and assigned to teach Celestial Navigation to Naval Aviators at the Pensacola Naval Air Station, FL. After the war, she returned to Union and resumed her position at Hamilton School, teaching Fifth Grade. She retired after 35 years with the Union School System, influencing the lives of hundreds of students during her teaching career. Throughout her life, her former students remembered her with great fondness, and would seek out opportunities to comment to her and her family on how much she had inspired them to excellence. Theresa loved her students, co-workers, and fellow teachers, many of whom remained her life-long friends. In retirement, she traveled throughout the United States and abroad, visiting every continent in the world, except Antarctica. She was a role model and an inspiration to all who came in contact with her throughout her life, and will be greatly missed by all who loved her. Theresa is survived by her brother Eugene Joseph Devereaux of Scottsdale, Arizona; her children, Jeanne Jo Pittman Reid of Frederica, Delaware; Charles Pittman of Pahrump, Nevada; and, James Lawrence Pittman of Union; her grandchildren Eric Michael Upchurch and Theresa Devereaux Pittman; and great grandson, Ian Robert Michael Sugano . She was preceded in death by her parents, Eugene Joseph and Theresa Schnell Devereaux; and, brother, John Paul Devereaux. McCracken Funeral Home is handling the arrangements. Services will be private with interment at the William C. Doyle Memorial Veterans Cemetery in Wrightstown, NJ. The family requests that in her memory, donations be made to her favorite charity, the Sacred Heart League, in her name. To post sentiments and memories for the family, you are welcome to sign the Guest Book set up in Theresa’s name by McCracken Funeral Home at http://www.mccrackenfuneralhome.com