AUSTINTOWN - Theresa M. Kolesar, 96, passed away peacefully Monday afternoon, Oct. 28, 2019, at St. Elizabeth Boardman Hospital with family by her side.

Theresa was born May 5, 1923, in the Brier Hill neighborhood of Youngstown, and was a daughter of the late Fabian and Victoria Rosetti Ladonne.

She worked at Northside Hospital as a nurse's aide, and as an elevator operator at Mahoning Bank, both prior to her marriage, and then dedicated her life to raising and caring for her family after her marriage in 1949.

Mrs. Kolesar was a member of the former Heritage Presbyterian Church.

She enjoyed word search puzzles, reading The Vindicator, and enjoyed watching the Cleveland pro sports teams play. Theresa also loved pasta and pizza, enjoyed the time she spent with her family, and will forever be remembered by her family as a "fighter" and a "strong woman."

Theresa leaves her daughter, Janice (Tom) Turney of Youngstown; two grandchildren, Jennifer (Brian) Long of Austintown and Gregory Vakasy Jr. of Youngstown; three great-grandchildren, Brian Long Jr., Katelyn Long, and Gregory Vakasy; and several nieces and nephews.

Theresa's husband, Paul Kolesar Jr., whom she married Jan. 13, 1949, passed away July 4, 2002. A son, Paul K. Kolesar passed away in 2011. Three sisters, Annette DeSanctis, Mamie Vitek, and Mary Kopko; and two brothers, Joseph and Carl Ladonne, are also deceased.

Family and friends may call from 2 to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 2, at  Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, where a memorial service will be held at 3:30 p.m.