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Theresa Modena Obituary

Theresa Modena, 92, died peacefully in her sleep Monday, November 8, after a very brief illness. She was born in San Francisco October 27, 1918 to Frederico and Mary Dimeo at the home of an Italian midwife.

At 8 months Theresa moved with her family to the rural north coast farmland of Santa Cruz. She attended Laguna School and Holy Cross School, and graduated from Holy Cross High School. During the Great Depression she met her husband to be, Charles Modena in 1935 and they married January 21, 1940 at Holy Cross Church. A few years later the couple and their baby daughter moved to San Gregorio, and eventually returned to Santa Cruz on Dimeo Lane where they raised their two children and lived contentedly ever since. Theresa was a longtime member of Holy Cross Church, and past president of the YLI.

She is survived by her husband of seventy years, Charles Modena of Santa Cruz, her daughter, Charlene Modena of Muir Beach, and son, Frederick C. Modena of Santa Cruz. She is also survived by her grandchildren Lisa and Eric Modena and her great grandchildren Lance, Isabel and Cedric Modena, and many nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her sister, Margaret Fambrini and her brother Fred Dimeo.

Catholic Blessing services will be held at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel on Friday, November 12, 2010 at 1:00 P.M.. Following will be graveside committal services at Holy Cross Cemetery. A reception will follow. Visitation for family and friends will be at Santa Cruz Memorial Mission Chapel on Thursday from 1 until 8PM. The Rosary will be at 6PM.

Her wit, generosity and delightful stories of her childhood, her love of travel and a good dessert will always be cherished and remembered. She will be deeply missed.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Published by Santa Cruz Sentinel on Nov. 11, 2010.

Memories and Condolences
for Theresa Modena

Sponsored by charlene modena.

20 Entries

May 11, 2014

Hi Mom, thinking of you on Mother's Day, and while I prepare a dessert for you to celebrate your day; French Chocolate Opera cake with Raspberry Sorbet! Miss you every day.
With love,
Charlene

Georgia Green

October 25, 2011

Dear Charlene,
In addition to all of the wonderful childhood memories shared by many of us, your mother's most enduring legacy is you - a loving, compassionate, and devoted daughter. You did all you could to ensure that Theresa received the best medical care. But beyond that, you infused your own caregiving with gentleness and creativity. Well done!

Janice Holter-Heicksen

March 5, 2011

I have fond memories of having sleepovers at the Modena home when I was a young girl during my early high school years. During those happy time Mrs.Modena would always prepare a fabulous breakfast for us girls. Often this consisted of tender, scrumptious pieces of freshly caught abalone! Yes, you heard me correctly, that seafood item that is no longer readily available to us, especially here in Arizona! Mr. Modena and his friends would gather the then abundant abalone from coastal rocks at very low tides. I distinctly remember one time when Patty Dever and I were there, and Mrs. Modena asked us if we would like abalone for breakfast, and we declined..as we felt we had eaten plenty at their home. Can you believe it... We turned down abalone! I hope Mrs. Modena didn't think we were ungrateful kids, as she was always such a gracious and generous mom. Believe me, if I could relive those days, I would never have turned down that abalone. It was absolutely the best, better than any restaurant could serve. Thanks Mrs. Modena for all the happy times and fond memories. I like to think you are now preparing abalone for all the angels in heaven , and I bet they don't turn it down!

Barbara Connair

February 20, 2011

Dear Charlene,
When I think of your Mom, I think of all the patience she had putting up with pre-teens, adolescents and then teenagers. Seems we grew up in the back of her station wagon. What wonderful memories we have because of your Mom. I will always think of her fondly.

February 7, 2011

i remember our families getting together a lot .we would go to santa cruz for new years the old people would go party and charlene and butchie and silvio and i would stay at the house and play til all hours. in the summer i would spend a week or two there while butchie would come and stay with my family and we would switch. I remember yummy breakfasts sarchica with eggs and toast . charlene and i used to get to stay at the boardwalk all day.my uncle charlie and aunt theresa would come and visit us regiulary after ronnie and i got married. and stilll did up until recently.they would enjoy coming here for bar-b-Qs .we miss my aunt. she always had silly things she would say . she had sayings that she would tell us every time we got together. so funny.she is in a good place now , love ronnie and gerry

Marissa Alvarez

February 1, 2011

Being a caregiver for Theresa was a blessing! Boy was she a sweet little firecracker! My funniest moment of her was her sticking her tongue out at me, and in return I would stick mine out back. It always put a smile on our faces! There are many wonderful memories of Theresa and I am honored she was a part of my life. She is greatly missed!

Susan Powell

January 30, 2011

Charlene, what a precious way to memorialize your Mom. I wish you and your family much comfort for your great loss. I've always know you to take such good care of her (and your Dad) with your many, many trips down the coast to Santa Cruz. Although I never had the honor of meeting Theresa, judging from the comments here alone, she was cherished and fun to be around, just like her daughter is today! Much love, Susan

Jason Booth

January 18, 2011

Theresa was my next door neighbor for the last 5 years. She would always stop by on her daily walk for a chat. I always looked forward to seeing her and like to think that she enjoyed the talks as well. I usually did more listening than talking since she had so many interesting things to say. I hope I can look back and have as many stories to tell as Theresa did.

Jason Booth

January 17, 2011

Dear Charlene,
We had such wonderful times in the station wagon going to all of the Holy Cross basketball games. She was so patient with all of the silly girls and so kind. I remember her smile, Theresa with the laughing eyes.
Love, Sharon

Michele Modena

January 11, 2011

I saw your mom most often when I was probably only around 9 or 10 when I would go fishing with my grandfather, Al Modena, and then wind up at your parents' house for a huge, delicious meal, filled with conversation, wine and laughter. I remember how I was drawn to your mom. I recall how kind she was to me and how she loved to laugh. I have this clear picture in my head though it was a very, very long time ago. She was a good, strong woman. I'm sorry for your loss.

January 9, 2011

Dear Charlene and family, We are thinking of you in this time of loss. Susan & Kevin (Stinson Beach)

Kathryn Ritter

January 9, 2011

What a beautiful woman inside and out. She must have been a wonderful mother to have such an incredible daughter.
With love,
Kathryn

mike modena

January 7, 2011

My Dear Aunt Theresa: A true earth mother to all who knew her; kind to all living creatures and deeply concerned for the welfare of others.

January 4, 2011

Dear Charlene, "Butch" and family,
All my thoughts and prayers are with you. Your mom and dad were a wonderful part of my childhood and were often there for me and Dino. Zia, you will be greatly missed. Love, Tina and family

Laurine Sgambati

January 1, 2011

I know this is the beginning of a "new normal" for the Modena family. I send blessing for all as you begin the New Year.

Diane Rees

November 23, 2010

I will miss Teresa so much. She was part of what made Dimeo Lane special to me over the years. I hope Charlie is doing well. Good news! His black cat (Quito sp?) lets me pick him up, so I should be able to bring him over to Charlie now. Maybe that will make him feel a bit better. My love to your family.

Bill Gile

November 12, 2010

Fred,

Sorry to hear of the passing of your Mom. She was a pleasant woman and I was honored to have know her and your Dad. It seems just like yesterday I was delivering up Dimeo Ln to your parents. Both are wonderful. My prayers are with you and your whole family.

John & Peggy Bowen

November 12, 2010

Take comfort in knowing that now you have a special guardian angel to watch over you.

Jana & Dennis Modena

November 11, 2010

Lots of love and memories of Teresa - Hugs to the family as we will not be able to make the services.

DOYLE SINGER

November 11, 2010

Hey FRED Sorry to hear about your MOM
HANG IN THERE BUDDY.

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