Theresa Melilli

Theresa L. Melilli (Marturano) 1934-2025

In 1944, on the outskirts of Valmadonna in Northern Italy, a ten-year-old girl was skiing with her friends. In the clear sky appeared an allied sniper plane. The children ran for cover as the plane bore down on them and peppered the white snow with black bullets. Theresa looked up and found herself gazing into the face of the pilot.

At 12 years old she came to the United States with her family. Enrolled in Catholic school, the gangly 6th grader was sent to sit with the 1st grade class, where she folded herself into a tiny desk and learned English.

She attended Poughkeepsie High School, where Theresa met her then-and-still best friend Josephine McGrath (Lombardi), and divided her time between school, friends, CYO basketball and working behind the counter at her parent’s bakery, Pride Bakery.

Daddy used to tell it like this: “I walked into the bakery, took one look at your mother, and she fell in love with me.” On June 15, 1957, 23-year-old Theresa married Salvatore Melilli. They lived in Poughkeepsie for 25 years, where daddy was a successful contractor, and mommy raised us, and belonged to certain charities and organizations, like the American Heart Association and the Italian Center.

In 1977 they moved to Galveston, Texas, and Theresa became a local celebrity as THE “Mama Teresa” in the family restaurant Mama Teresa’s Flying Pizza. Loved by all and affectionately called “Mama T,” she sat for pictures with tourists who came to eat, and spent 40 years as a beloved community member.

Mommy is predeceased by her parents, Mario and Emily (Amelotti) Martini, her beloved husband Salvatore Melilli, in-laws Joseph Melilli and Nancy Melilli (Minardi), Sarina Melilli and Franco Prima, Sarina Melilli (Cosantino), and Ricardo Tallarita.

She is survived by her children: Maria E. Melilli (Richard Otte), Carmelo Melilli, Louise Melilli, Carmine Melilli (Pat), Emanuel Melilli (Tony Arena), Anthony Melilli (Kathy), Maria Melilli (Andrew Terrell), Maria Melilli (Ray D’Auria), and Salvatore Melilli (Christine), her grandchildren Emilia and Luca Otte, who lit up her life, her brother-in-law Antonio Melilli, her sisters-in law Graziella Melilli and Gina Melilli (Franco Presti), and by many nieces, nephews, great nieces and great-nephews, and friends.

For those of us who had the great good fortune of being raised by her or knowing her, Theresa Melilli was a messenger of joy, a deeply faithful woman, and an example of a life well-lived. She arrived in heaven in time to celebrate daddy’s 91st birthday; that must have been some party!

We thank our dear Sylvia for her love and devotion to mommy and to our family. We thank Holly, Michelle, Jean, Yutong Li, and all the staff of Hudson Valley Hospice: they are angels on earth

We will gather at Miller Funeral Home 371 Hooker Ave. Poughkeepsie NY on Sunday April 27th 2025 from 3-7p.m. There will be a Mass of Christian Burial on Monday, April 28th 2025 at 9:30 a.m. at St. Martin de Porres Roman Catholic Church 118 Cedar Valley Road Poughkeepsie New York, followed by interment at St. Peters Cemetery.

Arrangements are under the direction of the Wm. G. Miller & Son FH, Inc.

 If you wish to leave an online condolence, please visit www.wmgmillerfuneralhome.com