Theresa A. Bledsoe

Theresa A. Bledsoe passed away on December 24, 2020 (Christmas Eve) from complications due to COVID-19. Terry, as she was known to everyone, was a great daughter, sister, mother, wife, grandmother, and friend. Terry was born in Morea, PA on July 24, 1931 to James and Anna Zelinko. She had several sisters (Catherine, Helen, and Margaret) and one brother (Billy), all of whom preceded her in death as well as her husband, R.D. Bledsoe.

After graduating from high school, Terry started her life path into the career that she would enjoy for the next fifty plus years, nursing. She graduated from Philadelphia General Nursing School. After a brief stint as a private duty nurse in New York City, she returned to Morea. Her father encouraged her to look into life outside of the tiny, little coal town and with this Terry joined the United States Army on June 13, 1962. Terry rose to the rank of Captain and was stationed at Valley Forge GH and Fort Bragg. Terry was a recovery room and intensive surgery nurse. While in the Army, she saw combat in the Dominican Republic Civil War and earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal and the Army Commendation Medal.

During this time, she met and married Reece D. Bledsoe. Terry and R.D. were married on May 14, 1966. Terry was to be deployed to southeast Asia during the Vietnam War but a blood test revealed she was pregnant. Terry was discharged from the Army in October of 1966. On January 23, 1967, Terry gave birth to her only son, David. 

In 1969, R.D. was transferred to Charlotte, NC and this would be home for the Bledsoes for the next fifty plus years. Terry and RD found and created a home in Cotswold that led to many lifelong friends in the Churchill Downs neighborhood. There were many great times to be had either at a backyard party or weekends on the lake or ocean on ‘The Terry B,’ the family boat. Terry began her next, and last job, at Presbyterian Hospital. Terry worked third shift there for the next forty plus years on the Woman Pre & Post Op Surgical floor. Terry touched many lives in this role as an RN and as a person.

Terry was a lifelong Catholic. She was a member at both St. Gabriel and St. Peter Catholic Church. Her conviction to her faith influenced her son (David) to be raised Catholic and even got R.D. to convert to Catholicism later in his life.

After R.D.’s death in August of 2004, Terry retired. She spent her mornings meeting with her friends at the Liberty East Restaurant and enjoyed dinners out.

In June of 2011, Terry received her best gift of all, a grandson. Reece was the light of her life. She would always refer to him as "Precious Cargo" whenever he was in the car with her. She absolutely worshipped and enjoyed every moment with him and spoiled him whenever she had a chance.

Unfortunately, Terry developed Alzheimer’s and was confined to Wilora Lakes Assisted Living Center for the last six years of her life. As her memories faded, she still would ask about loved ones from her past.

The family would like to thank Mike Allen for his due diligence in his role as guardian in trust.

Terry is survived by her son, David Bledsoe; grandson, Reece Ramirez-Bledsoe and his mother, Natalie Ramirez-Matthews; niece, Nancy Selinko-Ryan; and grandniece, Kelly "Kalita" Hadley Summers and Michele Selinko.

Graveside services and Military honors will be held on Wednesday morning at 11 AM at Assumption BVM Cemetery in Mahanoy Township. The Rev. Leo Maletz will officiate. David D. Jarrett Funeral home of Mahanoy City is in charge of arrangements. Please sign the guest book at www.jarrettfuneralhome.com Contributions to the Kidney or Alzheimer's Foundations would be appreciated.

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