Obituary of Teresa Rose Groeller Chastanet

Teresa Rose Groeller Chastanet, 95, of Freehold Township passed away at home on Saturday, February 15, 2025. She was born in Passaic and had lived in Clifton, NJ, Castries, St. Lucia and Wayne, NJ before settling here in 2015. She received her bachelor’s degree in mathematics in 1951 from The College of St. Elizabeth in Convent Station, New Jersey and continued her education earning her Master’s in educational psychology and guidance at Fordham University.  In 1956 Teresa was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Scholarship to teach math in Castries, St. Lucia where she met her future husband. Teresa was working toward her PhD when she married. Teresa worked as a math teacher in several New Jersey school districts, but spent the majority of her 35 years teaching in Wayne Township, making an impact on many kids’ lives. She was an avid gardener, tending to her rose and vegetable gardens. Being a dog lover spoke volumes about her compassionate and loyal personality, and over the years she had several beagles.

Teresa was predeceased by her husband, Joseph Desmond Chastanet; parents, Ignatius and Katharina Weiss Groeller; and her brother, Julian Groeller. She is survived by daughters, Catherine Chastanet and her husband, Theodore Leighton of NY and Teresa Scriptunas and her husband, Jerome of NJ; son, Dr. Robert Chastanet and his wife, Dr. Rachel of TN; grandchildren, Bridget, Audrey, Vladimir, Daniel, Timothy and his wife, Madalyn and John; and sister-in-law, Theresa Groeller.

Visitation will be held at the Clayton & McGirr Funeral Home, 100 Elton-Adelphia Road (Route 524), Freehold Township on Saturday, February 22, 2025 from 9:00 to 10:00 AM with her Funeral Mass to follow at 10:30 AM at the Co-Cathedral of St. Robert Bellarmine, 61 Georgia Road, Freehold Township. Interment will follow in Old Tennent Cemetery, 454 Tennent Road, Manalapan. For those who desire, memorial contributions to Dementia Society of America, Post Office Box 600, Doylestown, PA 18901. For information, directions or to leave condolence messages for the family, visit www.claytonfuneralhome.com