Obituary of Theresa M. Groeller

Theresa "Terry" Groeller, 89, passed away peacefully, at her daughter's home in Manahawkin, NJ. A life-long resident of New Jersey, Terry was a graduate of Passaic High School and William Paterson College in Wayne, earning a BS in Business Education. Terry married Julian Groeller, and they remained together for 53 years until his passing in 2018. They resided happily in Clifton and Hackensack, enjoying summers on Long Beach Island surrounded by friends and family. A professional educator, Terry began her career in the Business Department, at Central High School, in Paterson, NJ. While raising her family, Terry taught business courses at Drake Business College's evening school, as well as Paterson Adult Evening School. She later accepted a full-time position at Passaic County Technical and Vocational High School in Wayne, where she continued to inspire her students to develop their business skills until her retirement in 1995. Terry remained a lifetime learner, engaging in a multitude of interests and activities over the years. She assisted with the youth ministry at St. Andrew's Church in Clifton, where she was a parishioner and Eucharistic Minister for decades. As an ESL (English as a Second Language) tutor, at St. Mary's Hospital in Passaic, she instructed countless immigrants with their English proficiency and preparations for the US citizenship test. A citizen of the world, Terry traveled extensively throughout China, Russia, Kenya, Egypt, the Holy Land, Greece, Europe and Peru, traversing continents and cultures with enthusiasm and ease. She considered the accommodations on a rafting tour of the Colorado River, through the Grand Canyon, to be the best of any trip she took. Terry was also an avid reader, bridge player, mahjong enthusiast and newshound. A culinary master, Terry was also famous for baking astounding quantities of the world's best Christmas cookies. Terry's grandfather was a professional musician, sharing a talent which has inspired generations. Terry was instilled with an appreciation of all forms of music. Her personal collection included a wide range of genres including classical, classic jazz, Broadway, pop and even a bit of disco, however her all-time favorite form was opera; she held season tickets to The Metropolitan Opera and attended performances regularly. As an adult, she dabbled with the piano but found her niche in the audience of the opera. Terry was consistently surrounded by friends who shared her zest for life and a willingness to embrace new experiences. She deeply valued the time spent strengthening and enriching relationships. Those connections included decades of students she met throughout her career in education, and the countless others whose lives were impacted by her volunteer work. She will always be remembered as a beacon of integrity, kindness, generosity, and laughter, to all who knew her. That brilliant smile and deep, heartfelt laugh will be remembered for generations. In addition to her parents, Theresa was preceded in death by her husband Julian and sister Eileen Secora. Surviving are her children, Matthew Groeller, Thomas Groeller and his wife Christa, and Caroline Scales; her grandchildren, Maddy, Jackson, TJ and Kasey, Erika, and Michael; her great grandchildren Tripp and Ellie; her nieces and nephews, Cathy and Ted, Bob and Rachel, Terry and Jerome, Steve and Christine, Linda and Jim, and Denise and Richard; many extended family members; and many dear friends. As a lifelong practicing Catholic, her friends and family can take comfort knowing that while her life among us has ended, her eternal life in heaven has begun. The Funeral will begin from the G. Thomas Gentile Funeral Home, 397 Union Street, Hackensack, on Saturday, April 12th, 2025 at 8:45 AM. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held 10:00 AM at Holy Trinity R.C. Church, 34 Maple Avenue, Hackensack, with burial following at Calvary Cemetery, Paterson. The family will receive friends on Friday, April 11th, 2025 from 5:00 – 8:00 PM for visitation at the funeral home. A memorial service in Beach Haven, NJ is also planned for May 17, 2025. Theresa was a member and supporter of her local public radio and television stations in New York City. Therefore, in lieu of flowers please make a donation in Theresa's memory to: WNYC: Call Listener Services at 646-829-4000 or mail in your donation to WNYC Radio, 160 Varick Street, New York, NY 10013, Attn: Membership. Please include your name and contact information, the name of the deceased, and name(s) and contact information for the memorial card recipient(s). 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