Theresa J. (Casella) Stepp

Waltham – Mrs. Theresa J. (Casella) Stepp, of Waltham, died Thursday, May 19, 2022 at Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln. She was 95.

Terry was born in Waltham on April 5, 1927, a daughter of the late Rosario and Carmela (Sardi) Casella and was a lifelong resident. After graduating from Waltham High School she earned her nursing degree from Massachusetts General Hospital School of Nursing.

She went to work as a registered nurse and enlisted in the United States Air Force where she met her husband, Tyrus Stepp, while both were serving at Sheppard Air Force Base in Texas during the Korean War. Terry, a lieutenant, and Tyrus, a sergeant, married in 1952 and the couple made Waltham their lifelong home.

Terry met tragedy head on when she was widowed at the age of forty following Tyrus's sudden death on January 14, 1969. By then she'd been working for sixteen years as a nurse at Waltham Hospital and with grit, grace and determination raised their five children. Terry's faith sustained her and she saw her family grow to include thirteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren . . . all the greatest joys of her life.

Her nursing career at the hospital culminated with her appointment as admissions director in February of 1980, a position she held until retirement. It was at the hospital where Terry made many lifelong friends and whose warm smile and talent for the job earned her respect among the medical staff.

Terry was a longtime parishioner at Our Lady's Church on Trapelo Road where she served as a Eucharistic minister. Life, love, faith, family and friends were her lifelong companions.

Some of the family's happiest memories came when Terry hosted the clan at her summer place in Hyannis where many relaxing summer days were spent at the beach. Terry was accomplished at knitting, sewing and crocheting . . . talents that produced beautiful warm blankets for each of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

In addition to her husband, Tyrus D. Stepp, awaiting her arrival in heaven were her grandson, Tyrus Stepp and her siblings, Constance Lituri, Rose Collura and Vincent, Anthony, Carmella, Joseph and Grace Casella.

She leaves her children, Carol S. Morgan (Ken) of Westford, David L. Stepp (Terri Lawson) of Thousand Oaks, California, Christopher J. Stepp of Gardner, Janet S. Dellorso (Michael) of Westford and Maryellen Henning (Doug) of Wakefield; her grandchildren, Melanie Allwood, Kevin Morgan, Kerianne Pereira, Jenna Stepp, Theresa Stepp, Kyle Stepp, Scott, Matthew and Julianne Dellorso, Katie Moss and Jonathan and Jason Henning; her great-grandchildren, Nathan and Dylan Allwood, Mia and Sam Pereira, Miles Russell, Avalon and Emma Stepp and Jack Moss and many nieces, nephews and their families.

Family and friends will honor and remember Terry's life by gathering for calling hours in The Joyce Funeral Home, 245 Main Street (Rte. 20), Waltham on Monday, May 23rd from 4 to 7 p.m. and again at 8 a.m. on Tuesday morning before leaving in procession to Our Lady Comforter of the Afflicted Church, 880 Trapelo Road, Waltham where her Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 9 a.m. Burial will be in Calvary Cemetery, Waltham.