Theresa Palleria

Theresa Mastriani Palleria, born on July 22, 1911 in West Philadelphia, PA, the daughter of Tobias and Stella Mastriani, passed away on Monday, June 3, 2019 at the Morrison Nursing Home in Whitefield, NH at the age of 107. Theresa married Joseph Palleria on May 11, 1932. They had two children, Adelina and Domenic, and celebrated 65 years of marriage prior to Josephs passing in 1997. After her marriage and move to Haverhill, MA, Theresa went to work in the shoe factories until her retirement when she was in her 70s. Some years after her husbands passing, Theresa moved to Lancaster, NH to live with her son, Domenic, and daughter-in-law, Donna. In 1927, at the age of 16, Theresa went to work at the Tasty Cakes factory in Philadelphia, and talked about that with fondness and exuberance. In the fall of 2018, when she was 107 years old, she had an unexpected visit from a Tasty Cakes delivery man who brought her a package of one of her favorite treats and she was absolutely delighted. This visit was 91 years after she worked for the company. In 2011, Theresa was awarded the Boston Post Cane Award by Lancaster Town Manager Edward Samson for being the oldest citizen of the Town of Lancaster, and held that award for a remarkable 7 years. Her family and family life meant everything to her, and nothing made her happier than family get-togethers. She made many friends at the Morrison, and visits from school children always made her smile. She enjoyed music and was very proud of her son Domenics career as a Music Educator. Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Joseph; her daughter, Adelina; two sisters and three brothers. Her youngest sister, Mary Derosa, still lives in Philadelphia. She also leaves behind her son, Domenic Pallaria and his wife Donna; her grandchildren: Kelley Stafford and husband Robert, Molly Harrigan and husband Thomas, Barbara Haith and husband Malcolm, and William Duffney and wife Kim; great-grandchildren: Riley, Sarah, Rose, and Rachel Stafford, Alex and Grady Harrigan, and Joseph Duffney; as well as many very dear nieces, nephews, great-nieces, and great-nephews. A graveside service will be held at Linwood Cemetery in Haverhill, MA on Saturday, June 8th at 10 AM. Calling hours will be at Farmer Funeral Home in Bradford, MA on Friday, June 7th from 6 to 9 PM. Donations in her memory may be made to Morrison Nursing Home, 6 Terrace Street, Whitefield, NH 03598.