Theresa Veronica Karandy

March 26, 1929 - July 28, 2013

Albany-Theresa V. Karandy died peacefully on Sunday, July 28, 2013 at St. Peter’s Hospital after a long courageous battle with several serious illnesses. Theresa fought hard, always with a smile and she never complained. Theresa was born in Albany on March 26, 1929 to the late John Smolinski and the late Apolonia (Saczawa) Smolinski. She was predeceased by her beloved husband, Theodore Karandy, who she married on May 10, 1963. Theresa and Ted had many happy years together enjoying all the Polish dances and lots of good times at the club until his death in 1983. Theresa enjoyed working in many capacities for the New York Telephone Company until her retirement in 1994. Theresa loved her Catholic faith, was a member of the Rosary Society, Third Order of St. Francis, and she was a Eucharistic Minister. Theresa loved supporting the work of the missionaries and various charities that helped the poor. Theresa was currently a parishioner at her beloved Blessed Sacrament Church in Albany, where she truly felt welcomed and at home after St. Casimir’s Church closed. Theresa loved all things Polish and had wonderful times with her friends at the Polish Community Center and the Joseph Zaloga Post. Theresa enjoyed her garden and beautiful flowers. She loved praying, especially the rosary, and she prayed for everyone she loved believing in the power of prayer. Theresa enjoyed watching her big screen TV and she treasured her nightly phone conversations checking in with her many close friends. She always had a flair for fashion and she enjoyed spending all of the holidays with the Abels. Theresa was very close to her family and had a very special bond with her twin sister Veronica, who welcomed her with open arms in heaven. Theresa was also blessed to share a life long friendship with her dear friend, Rita Drozdzal, who survives her, and who supported Theresa throughout her long battle. Survivors include her dear brother, Alexander (Mary) Smolinski of Albany, her dear sister, Gladys Zmijewski of Albany, and several beloved nieces and nephews: Patty (Michael, Jeremy, & Jessica) Abel; Mary Beth Cook; John, James, and Thomas Fischer; Stephanie Stockman; Linda Lienhard; John Smolinski; Richard, Michael, and Raymond Zabinski; Cathy Smolinski; and her special brother-in-law Joseph Fischer. She was predeceased by her sisters, Suzanna Quinn, Frances Smolinski, Florence Zabinski, Veronica Fischer, and her brother, Casimir Smolinski. Funeral services Friday August 2, 2013 at 8:15 am from Lasak & Gigliotti Funeral Directors, 208 North Allen Street, Albany thence to Blessed Sacrament Church at 9:00 am where a Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated. Relatives and friends are respectfully invited and may call Thursday, August 1, 2013 from 4:00 to 7:00 pm. Interment Our Lady of Angels Cemetery. Those wishing to remember Theresa in a special way may send contributions to the Sister Maureen Joyce Center C/O Blessed Sacrament Church, 607 Central Ave. Albany, N.Y. 12206.