Theresa Donikowski Heynoski Obituary (1933 - 2019)

Theresa Donikowski Heynoski, 85, of Millcreek Township, passed away Thursday, January 24, 2019, surrounded by her family after a long illness. She was born in Erie on October 11, 1933, the daughter of the late John and Stella Smialek Donikowski. What is the measure of a life well-lived? Some think it is awards or accolades, but it is really what you leave behind that matters most. Theresa left an imprint on this earth and in the hearts of all who knew her. Her greatest happiness was being married to her husband, Eddie, whom she loved with all her heart for 66 years. That love brought forth four daughters, and grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Theresa was a woman who lived her faith, welcoming all into her home, regardless of who they were or how much they had. People sought her out for her wisdom and counsel. She loved spending time with her family and friends, hosting amazing parties, and dancing a good polka. In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by her sister, Bernadette Whaley. In addition to her husband, Edward, Theresa is survived by her daughters, Ruth LaCastro and husband, Anthony, Pam Heynoski, Lisa DePaul and husband, John, and Suzanne Fontecchio and fiance, Jack Crawford; grandchildren, Joseph DePaul (Tiffany), Matthew DePaul (Anna), Rebecca Phillips, Hannah Boukobza (Laurent), and Benjamin Fontecchio; great-grandchildren, Sophie, Gracie, Luke, Jeremy, Katie, Alex, Jacob, Sloane, and Brune; and her sister, Dorothy Thomas. Friends are invited to call at Dusckas Funeral Home, Inc., 536 West 10th St., on Sunday, January 27 from 1 to 5 pm. A Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Fr. John Malthaner at St. Luke Church, 425 E. 38th St. at 1 pm on Monday, January 28. Entombment will be at St. Gregory Cemetery in North East, PA. We would like to thank Theresa's care team, Lisa Clark, Christina Iacobozzi and Great Lakes Hospice for the compassionate care they gave to her. We could not have done this without you. In lieu of flowers, the family requests memorial contributions to the Msgr. Goodill Education Fund which awards scholarships to students at St. Luke School.