Theresa Julia Caron, age 90, passed away peacefully on Friday, March 6, 2020 in New Britain, Connecticut.  She was born on June 21, 1929 in Meriden, Connecticut to Samuel (of Salerno Italy) and Rose (of Calabria, Italy) Carino.  She married her World War II sweetheart, Paul R. Caron on April 19, 1946, who preceded her in death in 1989.

Theresa is survived by her sister and brother-in-law Angie and Joseph Zaorski; her three sons Paul Caron Jr., Neil Caron and Dennis Caron and their significant others, and her two daughters Theresa Casey and Paula Visconti, and their significant others; her grandchildren Matt Caron, Jennifer LaBree, Michelle Caron, Christopher Caron, Stephanie Caron, Brianne Casey, Taylor Casey, Salvatore Visconti, Angela  Schuman, Regina Visconti, Lucia Visconti and Theresa Visconti; plus great grandchildren; her many nieces and nephews; and great nieces and great nephews.  All of these people, she loved and touched deeply.

Theresa was born a first-generation Italian-American in Meriden, Connecticut, where she grew up on Lewis Avenue, as the second youngest of six children.  When she married, her and her husband, Paul, moved around the corner to their house on Windsor Avenue, where they started their family.  As her life progressed and her family grew, Theresa and her family eventually moved to South Meriden.

For Theresa, family was everything and anything; her children, her grandchildren, her siblings, her nieces, her nephews, and her friends…it didn't matter; she consistently gave of herself, and she truly and fully loved her "family".   Unknowingly, through her actions, faith and support, she made everyone around her want to be, and strive to be, a better person.  Theresa consistently and selflessly gave of herself, so that others could realize their full potential.  Theresa, as an inspiration to us all...Thank You! During her life, Theresa attended Our Lady of Mount Carmel church and later on Holy Angels church, where she was an active member of the Holy Angels Legion of Mary.  Theresa was also a member of the Red Hat Society.  Early on, besides being a mother of five, which in itself is a full-time job, Theresa also worked at Lincoln Middle School, the Napier Jewelry Company, and Macy's at the Westfield Meriden Mall.

More than anything, Theresa loved to get together with family, laughing and having fun. Although quiet in nature, she was known to sing Italian operas while cooking and doing housework.  She succeeded on her first try at waterskiing at age 40, went cross country skiing in her 50's, learned karate in her 60s, and was seen running along the beach flying a kite at age 70.  She also went back to work, part-time in her 70s, and retiring for the second time in her early 80s.  With her sister, and best friend Angie, she enjoyed and excelled at decorating cakes, and baking and preparing Italian cookie trays for weddings, birthdays, graduations and all other family events.  Another thing that brought joy to Theresa was getting together for family card games and family dinners.  Also, some enjoyments for Theresa that may surprise people, were watching golf on tv and kung fu movies.

Her funeral will be held on Thursday March 12th at 10:15 a.m. from the Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home, 450 Broad St., Meriden when the funeral cortege will proceed to Our Lady Queen of Angels, Holy Angels Church Campus, 585 Main St. So. Meriden for a Mass of Christian Burial at 11:00 a.m. Burial will follow in Sacred Heart Cemetery. Family and friends are invited to pay their respects on Wednesday evening March 11th from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. at the Smith-Ruzzo Funeral Home. To send an online expression of sympathy please visit www.smithruzzofuneralhome.com . In lieu of flowers, donations in memory of Theresa J. Caron can be made to the Meriden Humaine Society, 311 Murdock Ave, Meriden, CT 06450 or the American Red Cross CT Chapter, 209 Farmington Ave., Farmington, CT 06032 or Catholic Charities, c/o Archbishop's Annual Appeal, PO Box 28, Hartford, CT 06141. When thinking and remembering Theresa Julia Caron, remember these words that ring true:

Here I lie in the solace of eternity,

Placed here by the One who has called to me

He called and said now is my time

To share in His ultimate peace

Ah Yes, the old women, they come to weep,

And the young girls are here, and they cry.

The men stoically pretend to be strong,

For what, I and they are not quite sure why.

Yes, it is okay to mourn today

Today, I'll give you this day

But remember me and move on

Because life is the living way

(By: Dennis J. Caron)

Theresa Julia Caron, we love you and shall miss you!