Obituary of Theresa F. Strain

Theresa F. "Terry" Strain, 92, of Littleton, CO formerly of Toms River, NJ went home to be with the Lord on Friday, February 19, 2021, after a lengthy battle with dementia and heart disease.  Born in New York on July 10, 1928 to Bertha and Frank Tita, Terry had an awesome upbringing with her mom, Bertha Grassi and her beloved grandparents, Luigi and Caterina Grassi. She was surrounded by love with her Grassi tribe of aunts, uncles, and cousins. Terry grew up in a three unit walk up on Palisade Avenue in Jersey City with her family.  She later moved to Congress Street in Jersey City with her mom, Bertha, and stepdad, Ed Hymer, whom she adored, while she attended school. Terry lived the majority of her life in New Jersey, also spending 12 years in Tonawanda, NY, with Charlie and then her final 12 years in Littleton, Colorado. She was a Jersey Girl!

She met and married the love of her life, Charles Edward Strain, while working at a magazine company as a secretary. To her dying day, she said it was love at first sight. They married on June 2, 1951 and were together on earth 64 years. Terry and Charlie shared a love of family, music, show tunes, and dancing right from the start. They raised five children.  All that mattered to Terry was her family, she loved them with a passion.  Her other passions were the outdoors and camping, cooking, reading, traveling, and shopping! She loved to cook and to shop and was awesome at both! One of Terry's greatest passions and her pride and joy was her almost 30 years as a volunteer at Birthright in Toms River, NJ. She selflessly gave her time to help young girls and women in need. Terry was a unique and caring individual and touched the lives of all who knew her.

She was preceded in death by her mom and stepdad, Bertha and Ed Hymer; her beloved grandparents, Luigi and Caterina Grassi; and the love of her life, her husband, Charlie.  She is survived by her children, Michael P. and wife, Diane, Eileen C. and her partner, Barbara, William C. and his wife, Gina, Mary V. and her husband, Scott, Patricia A. and her partner, John; eight grandchildren Sarah K., Zachary C., Maegan C., Evan W., Brennan T., Owen E., Alec C., Austin H.; a great-grandson, Reed C.; as well as her many nieces, nephews, and her beloved Grassi cousins.

A visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Monday, March 1, 2021 from 3:00 to 7:00 PM. Relatives and friends are invited participate via webcast through Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home’s website HERE. For the safety of the public, we are asking everyone to help us adhere to the CDC guidelines. Facemasks will be required.  Relatives and friends are invited to attend her 11:30 AM Funeral Mass on Tuesday, March 2, 2021 at St. Joseph's Church, 685 Hooper Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753.  Those who cannot attend the Funeral Mass in person, you may participate via webcast through Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home’s website HERE.  Entombment will follow in St. Joseph’s Cemetery & Mausoleum, 62 Cedar Grove Avenue, Toms River, NJ 08753.  For those who desire, donations may be made to Birthright of Toms River, 10 Lafayette Avenue, Toms River NJ, 08753 or to the Dementia Society of America, PO Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. For information, directions, or to leave condolence messages to the family, please visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com.