Teresa Rita Kugel passed away on January 17, 2018 at the age of 100 ½. She lived a long life full of health, happiness and love. She was surrounded by the love of all who knew her: family, Church family, friends, Discovery Village residents & staff and Lutz Healthcare and Tampa Lakes caregivers.
Teresa was born in Long Island City, NY on July 18, 1918. She resided in Queens, NY where she met and married Ralph Kugel in 1941. She resided there after Ralph’s passing in 1988 and decided to move to Florida in 1996 to be closer to both of her sons. She moved to Tampa Palms near her family where she continued to reside until her death. She played a very active role in her family and was involved with her church, St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church in Tampa, and The Tampa Palms Women’s Club.
She is survived by her two sons and their families: Ralph and Ellie Kugel of Leesburg, FL and grandsons, Michael and Stephen; Frank and Theresa Kugel of Tampa and granddaughters, Taylor and Morgan; grandson and his family Ralph & Annmarie Kugel of Avon Lake, OH and great-granddaughter Reagan; and sister Gloria Brindle of Harrison, ID along with numerous loving nieces and nephews.
She is preceded in death by her husband of 46 years, Ralph Kugel of Queens, NY and by 6 of her siblings: Rita DeStefano of Queens, NY; James (Jim) DeStefano of Springfield, MA; Ann (Nettie) Stewart of Sound Beach, NY; Nicoletta (Lee) Graichen of Queens, NY; Louise Thomas of Frederick, MD; and Nicholas (Nick) DeStefano of Queens, NY.
Teresa loved the Lord and was very devoted to attending church, saying her rosary, calling friends to keep in touch and exuding love & kindness wherever she went. While we will all miss her here on earth, they are joyful in heaven that she has arrived and we find peace in knowing she is celebrating with the ones that preceded her. Thank you to all those who celebrate her life by sharing your memories & thoughts on this page.
In lieu of flowers, a donation can be made to Teresa’s charity of choice: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital using the link below:
https://www.stjude.org/donate/donate-to-st-jude.html?scicid=header-btn-donate-now
A visitation for Teresa will be held Tuesday, January 22, 2019 from 3:00 PM to 6:00 PM at Blount & Curry, Terrace Oaks Funeral Home, Temple Terrace, FL. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 10:00 AM at St. Mark the Evangelist Catholic Church, 9724 Cross Creek Boulevard, Tampa, FL 33647. A committal service will occur Wednesday, January 23, 2019 at 12:30 PM at Florida National Cemetery, 6502 S. W. 102nd Ave, Bushnell, FL 33513.
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