Theresa Sawina, 87, of Morganville, died on Sunday, May 5.

Theresa was born and raised in Gilberton, PA to the late Eva and George Mallick. She graduated from Gilberton High School, and began working for Equitable shortly after. After meeting the love of her life, Paul, they moved to Long Island, where they raised their three children.

Theresa loved simple things: Lipton tea with a splash of Coffee Mate, the color blue, crocheting, and angel hair pasta. She was a wonderful cook and will be remembered most fondly for her Ukrainian Holubtsi and twice-baked potatoes.

She was a woman of elegance – she insisted on looking her best and seemingly kept Alfred Dunner in business for years. Despite being probably the only person to be banned from QVC for over-ordering, she remained undeterred, calling from unregistered numbers and changing shipping information until she got what she wanted. She was as clever as she was beautiful.

Theresa was a devout Catholic with a special devotion to Saint Anthony, and she never missed an afternoon Rosary. Theresa was an attentive and compassionate listener, gave strong, warm hugs, and never hesitated to tell all of her grandchildren that she was proud of them.

She is predeceased by her beloved husband, Paul Sawina, her parents, and her siblings, Helen, George, Jack, Fran, John, Mary, Ann, Andrew, and Michael Mallick.

Surviving are her children, Mary and her husband Tom Mykityshyn of Holmdel, Paul and his wife Melanie Sawina of Westfield, and Gregory and his wife Deborah Sawina of West Islip, NY, nine grandchildren Matthew, Christine, Daniel, Jaclyn, Kyle, Paul, Timothy, Justin, and Christian, and many loving cousins, nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, May 8 from 4pm – 8pm at Holmdel Funeral Home, 26 S. Holmdel Road. A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered on Thursday, May 9 at 11am at St. Gabriel’s Historic Church, 549 Route 520, Marlboro. Burial will follow at Pinelawn Memorial Park and Arboretum, 2030 Wellwood Avenue, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

In lieu of traditional remembrances, Theresa’s family asks with gratitude that donations in her memory be made to St. Vincent de Paul St. Benedict (parish.stbenedictholmdel.org), 165 Bethany Road, Holmdel, or St. Jude Children’s hospital (www.stjude.org)

For messages of condolence, or to share a favorite memory of Theresa, please visit her page of tribute at www.HolmdelFuneralHome.com.