Theresa M. (Sazama) Waryas, 93, of Bonita Springs, FL passed away peacefully on Tuesday, June 8, 2021 at The Memory Care Center of Naples in Naples, FL.
She was born May 5, 1928 in Montague, MA the youngest daughter of the late George and Marie (Pollock) Sazama. She graduated from Turners Fall High School in 1946 and received her Associates degree from Greenfield Community College in 1967; she received her Bachelor’s, Master’s and a CAGS in Special Education from UMass Amherst.
Theresa’s beloved husband Chester P. Waryas died in 1982. She was predeceased by her brothers George, Bernard and Edward Sazama and her sisters Marie Sazama and Frances (Sazama) Garstka.
She leaves her loving children Kathryn (Waryas) Fisk and her husband Paul of Princeton, MA and Los Altos, CA, Richard Waryas of Cardiff, CA and Marie (Waryas) Weinacker of Bonita Springs, FL. She was predeceased by her sons John (1978) and Robert (2001).
She also leaves her grandchildren Brent Fisk and his wife Jessica of Brentwood, CA, Greg Fisk of Arvada, CO, and Tyler Fisk of Santa Clara, CA, Kendra Weinacker of Bonita Springs, FL and five great-grandchildren, Jaiden Jeffries and Riley Tompkins of Bonita Springs, FL and Makayla, Brayden, and Lucy Fisk of Brentwood, CA. Her beloved grandson, Brandon Weinacker, died in 2018.
Theresa will be remembered for her love of teaching and socializing with friends and family. She taught special education in the Montague School system for 25 years prior to her retirement and received many awards including the Christa McAuliffe Excellence in Teaching Award. She retired to FL and traveled to many vacation islands, Disneyworld, polka festivals, and loved playing cards with friends and family. She was a member of the American Legion and Moose societies and a communicant at St. Leo the Great Church in Bonita Springs.
A funeral mass was held at St. Leo the Great Catholic Church in Bonita Springs on June 11, 2021. Burial will be at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Turners Falls, MA at the convenience of the family.
Donations can be made In Theresa’s Memory to The American Legion Post #303, c/o Rod Rodrigues, Commander, 27678 Imperial Shores Blvd., Bonita Springs, FL 34134.
Arrangements are under the direction of the Kostanski Funeral Home. For condolences, please visit www.kostanskifuneralhome.com.