Theresa Ann (Leonelli) McAvinney passed away suddenly on the evening of Saturday, December 21, 2024, in the arms of her beloved husband. Born January 22, 1959, in Newark, NJ to Matthew and Ann Leonelli, she was the oldest of six children. She grew up in Roselle, NJ and graduated from Roselle High School, class of 1977. Theresa always had a big heart, so it is no wonder she chose to pursue a nursing career. She graduated with an associate in nursing degree from Muhlenberg College and began her career at Elizabeth General Hospital in Elizabeth, NJ. For over 30 years she cared for countless patients both physically and spiritually.

In 1988, following a deep spiritual conversion, she began working in the Religious Education program at her local Catholic Church in Milford, NJ, which began her lifelong passion of serving in her church communities wherever she lived. Following the promptings of the Holy Spirit, she relocated with her two youngest daughters to the Northeast Kingdom in Vermont in 1995. In August 1997 she met the love of her life, Daniel McAvinney, originally of Lake George, NY. Following a brief courtship, they were married on January 17, 1998, and she lived her remaining days in their old farmhouse in Westfield, VT.

Over the course of her nursing career, she worked at various locations and in different positions, including ICU at Elizabeth General Hospital, visiting nurse at Orleans Essex VNA, North Country Hospital at the Barton Clinic, nurse at Newport Correctional Facility, Our Lady of the Meadows in Richford, VT, Michaud Manor in Derby Line, Immaculate Heart of Mary Monastery in Westfield, VT, and as director at the Meeting Place in Newport, VT. But her true passion was her work in the Church. To say she was an active member at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church in Troy would be an understatement. Her motto was, "See a need, fill a need." Theresa was a doer. Serving God and her community was her life's work. Whatever she did, she gave 110%. She is best known for her role as Director of Religious Education, and for her music ministry and beautiful singing voice. She used these God given talents of teaching and singing to draw others to the real love of her life, Jesus Christ. She welcomed the stranger, exuded joy wherever she went, and hugged with her whole heart. In all that she did, her faith and love of God inspired her.

Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, and grandmother. Her sixteen grandchildren adored her, and will always remember her bingo games, candy rewards, ice box cake, making cookies together and endless games of YAHTZEE!

Theresa is survived by her husband Daniel McAvinney of Westfield, VT; daughters Sanene Talcott Stetter of Laguna Beach, CA, Christina Guertin and husband Tim of Parker, CO, Melissa LeBlanc and husband Justin of Newport Center, VT, and Lori Strauss and husband Michael of Derby, VT; grandchildren Emma, Jake, Corine, Joseph, Sean, Damian, Vincent, Simon, Jack, Mira, Samuel, Juliana, Lily, Luke, and Evelyn. She is also survived by her father Matthew Leonelli of Simpsonville, SC, mother-in-law Berne Kouba of Queensbury, NY, her siblings Louis Leonelli of Wurtsboro, NY, Philip Leonelli and wife Kirsten of Simpsonville, SC, Nicholas Leonelli and wife Jody of Cranford, NJ, Sr. Mary Matthew (Catherine Leonelli) of Manchester, NH, Matthew Leonelli and wife Sandra of Union, NJ, in-laws David/Cindy McAvinney, Patricia/Robert Morse, Julie/ William Valenza, Meredith Bub, and many aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews, and cousins from around the country. Theresa was predeceased by her mother, Ann (Fortunato) Leonelli, grandson Jordan Carpenter, and father-in-law Gerald McAvinney.

Friends and family may call from 12 to 2 p.m. and 6 to 8 pm on Friday January 10, 2025, at the Curtis-Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, 4670 Darling Hill Rd, Newport, VT 05855

A funeral Mass will be offered at 11:00 am on January 11, 2025, at Sacred Heart of Jesus Church in Troy, with a reception to follow at the parish hall. Committal will take place in Spring 2025.

Donations in Theresa's memory may be made to St. Andre Bessette Parish for the religious education program, PO Box 109, 130 S. Pleasant Street, Troy, VT 05868.

Arrangements are entrusted to the care of Curtis - Britch & Bouffard Funeral Home, & Cremation Services,  locally family  owned and operated.