Therese (Sloat) was born on August 6, 1929, in Marietta, Pennsylvania, to parents Ray G. Sloat and Anna (Schlegelmilch) Sloat of Philadelphia. One of five children, she is survived by Barbara Quaintance of Drexel Hill, PA, and predeceased by sisters Anna Mary Blake and Jean Sain, and brother Joseph Sloat.
Therese spent 60 wonderful years married to James J. O’Connor, originally from Collingdale, PA, until his passing in 2014. Her family was her greatest joy; she was devoted to her eight children and their partners, including Mary and Charlie; Therese (deceased); Michael and Rena; Patricia and Robert; Stephen and Ellen; Paul and Christina; Ed and Patty; and Sarah. She was a loving grandmother to 12 grandchildren and their partners, including Megan and Jan; Aidan and Sue; Lydia and Richard; Colleen and Jilleien; Maeve and Justin; Evan and Henisha; Liam; Hattie and Josh; Kelsey and Ja’Lisha; Clara; Patrick; and Bridget. Therese was also blessed and overjoyed with a great-grandchild, James.
A Philly girl at heart, Therese attended West Catholic High school and in 1951 earned a degree in mathematics from Immaculata College in Philadelphia. She put her degree to use in a job calculating flow dynamics and later worked as a bookkeeper. She and Jim moved to Poughkeepsie in 1964, where they both were involved in the church and Cursillo and were Eucharistic ministers for Vassar hospital and the homebound. Her loving and giving spirit extended well beyond her family; for many years she provided meals, rides, Communion, and other services to those in need, and maintained a long list of people for whom she prayed on a daily basis. Her strong faith was at the center of her life and relationships, as she embraced people of all religions, races, and orientations. She will be remembered by many for her radiant, beautiful smile. She loved to travel and go to the beach, spending many memorable vacations in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware with her family. An avid follower of college basketball, Therese especially loved watching her favorite Duke Blue Devils.
Visitation hours will be 2-5 pm on Friday, March 17, at Parmele, Auchmoody & Schoonmaker Funeral Home, 110 Fulton Ave, Poughkeepsie. Funeral mass will be held at Church of the Holy Trinity, 775 Main Street, at 10 am, Saturday March 18. Donations on her behalf may be sent to Hudson Valley Hospice.
