Teresa Irene Hartle Caldwell, 86, passed away peacefully early Sunday morning, May 4, 2014, at her home surrounded by her family’s love, following a courageous battle with dementia.
Born at home on July 5, 1927, in Clarion, she was the daughter of the late Amos and Folsom Hartle.
Teresa attended Immaculate Conception School as a child, graduated from Clarion High School, and worked as a legal secretary for Rudy Whitmer in Clarion.
She married her childhood sweetheart James Emerson Caldwell Sr. on September 3, 1947. He preceded her in death on March 4, 1998. Together they owned and operated Emerson’s Restaurant in Clarion for 39 years. Teresa’s secret recipe for Astronaut sauce is still in demand.
She was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Clarion her entire life.
Teresa was devoted to family and enjoyed spending time with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She loved to cook and feed family and friends. Food was love, and love was family, and nothing made her happier than a houseful of people talking, laughing and eating.
“Family is everything” was her motto and how she lived her life. She dedicated herself to helping family, friends and neighbors.
Survivors include two sons, James Caldwell and wife Maddy of State College, and Robert Caldwell of Clarion; two daughters, Katrina Mumford and husband John of Titusville, and Margaret Mealy of Madera, California; seven grandchildren, Andrew Mumford and wife Jenny of Oil City; Jenni Mumford Irving and husband Barry of Erie; Abbey Mumford Lee and husband Scott of Sinking Spring, Pennsylvania; Chad Mealy and Staci McWilliams of Butler; Hilary Caldwell of Washington, DC; Ariana Caldwell of State College; Matthew Mealy of Madera, California; and nine great-grandchildren, Olivia and Jack Mumford; Griffin, Devin, and Brennan Irving; Mollie, Grace and Sophie Lee; and Natalia Mealy.
Also surviving is a sister, Madelyn Heagerty of Clarion, numerous and dear nieces and nephews, and close friend JoAnne Grine of Clarion.
In addition to her husband and parents, Teresa was preceded in death by sisters Ann Magrini and Jane Cyphert; brothers Paul Hartle, Claire Hartle, Jerome Hartle, Rich Hartle, and infant brother Robert.
In keeping with Teresa’s wishes, there will be no public viewing.
Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 11 a.m. Thursday, May 8, 2014 at the Immaculate Conception Church, Clarion, with the Rev. Monty Sayers, pastor of the Immaculate Conception Church, presiding. Entombment will be held in the Immaculate Conception Cemetery Mausoleum.
In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Clarion-Forest VNA Hospice, 271 Perkins Road, Clarion, 16214 (www.cfvna.org).
Arrangements are under the care of the Goble Funeral Home and Crematory, 330 Wood Street, Clarion. Friends and family may send online condolences, share memories, order memorials, and obtain additional information by visiting the funeral home website at www.goblefh.net.