Theresa M. “Tess, Terri” Svites, 97, formerly of Hellertown, passed away peacefully Thursday, April 12, 2018 at Holy Family Manor, Bethlehem. She was the wife of the late Ernest Svites Sr., who died July 24, 2011.
Theresa was born in Ottsville, Bucks County on Sept. 27, 1920 to the late Anton and Theresa (Yost) Reitter. She owned and operated the former Town Diner, Hellertown, where she was the hostess and also worked at Lehigh University (faculty dining). Theresa was a daily communicant at St. Theresa of the Child Jesus Roman Catholic Church, Hellertown, where she participated in its Guild, Rosary Society and Senior Citizens. Theresa had a beautiful voice and was a wonderful dancer. The joy of her life was family get-togethers.
SURVIVORS
Children: Ronald G. (Mary) of Hughesville, Md., Carole J. (Thomas C.) Wisser of Somers Point, N.J., Ernest Jr. (Melinda) of Wichita, Kan., Jerry A. (Debra) of Hellertown, Barbara A. (Wayne) McCullough of Savona, N.Y.; 10 grandchildren; 16 great-grandchildren. She was predeceased by siblings: Elizabeth Berkmeir, Tony Reitter, Marion Onkow, Elsie Sharp and John Reitter.
SERVICE
Family and friends are invited to call from 8:30 to 9:30 a.m. Monday at the Heintzelman Funeral Home Inc., 326 Main St., Hellertown. The calling hour will be followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at 10 a.m. at St. Theresa’s, 1408 Easton Road, Hellertown. The interment will be at 3 p.m. Monday at the Union Cemetery of Hellertown.
CONTRIBUTIONS
Memorials may be made to Carmelite Sisters, St. Therese’s Valley, 3551 Lanark Road, Coopersburg, PA 18036-9324.
