Theresa A. (Listorti) Smerechansky

Among all things that are lovable, there is one that is more lovable than the rest, and that most lovable of all things is life." -St. Anthony of Padua

Theresa Listorti Smerechansky, 70, passed away peacefully, Thursday morning, January 26, 2017, with her loving family by her side following a brief illness.

Theresa was born on January 16, 1947 in Youngstown, Ohio, a daughter to Frank and Helen Listorti.

Theresa grew up in Lowellville and her and her family later moved to Struthers. She graduated from Struthers High School in 1965 and attended the Lewis Weinberger & Hill Beauty Academy. While attending high school and afterwards, Theresa worked as a pharmacy technician at Wittenauer’s in Poland. She owned her own beauty shop in her home for a number of years and also worked as a program manager at Interim Healthcare for several years before retiring.

An active member of the community, Theresa was involved in the Struthers Garden Club, St. Nicholas School Moms and Dads Club, and the Struthers Little Wildcats. Theresa was engaged in the first "Christ Renews His Parish" ministry under Father Petric. Theresa was also involved in the Poland Band Parents organization and arranged their first band banquet that was held outside of the school. She was a member of Christ Our Savior Parish at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church in Struthers.

Theresa was a family oriented woman with a big heart and a beautiful smile. She touched everyone she met and always put the needs of others first. She enjoyed supporting her grandchildren by attending all of their activities including many karate tournaments, dance recitals, marching and concert band functions, among others.

Theresa was proud to share her Italian heritage, language and traditions with her family. She enjoyed both cooking homemade meals and going out for a meal in the company of her family and friends which she cherished so dearly.

Theresa was an unwavering pillar of strength and support, whose constant encouragement and wisdom always made us believe anything is possible if you work hard enough and persevere. She helped shape her daughter and grandchildren into the family oriented and loving people they are today. Not to mention how incredibly proud she was of all of them. None shall ever forget her beautiful smile, fun loving personality and the overflowing amounts of love she shared with all.

She married her high school sweetheart, Peter Smerechansky, on June 24, 1967. They had one daughter, Jean, and lived in Struthers until 1980, when they moved to Poland.

Theresa will be sadly missed and has now become the guardian angel for her husband of 49 years, Pete; her mother, Helen Listorti; a sister, Grace (Armand) Pape; daughter, Jean (Dave) Metzger; and four grandchildren, P.J. Smerechansky, Troy, Macy and Dominic Metzger.

Theresa was preceded in death by her father, Frank Listorti; sister, Jean Listorti; and grandparents, Giovanni and Concetta Cinque and Luigi and Graziella Listorti.

The family would like to extend their sincere appreciation to all of the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit nurses (especially Dominic, Pam and Julie) at St. Elizabeth Health Center for their outstanding care and compassion during Theresa’s stay. In addition, they would like to thank Dr. Sweeney for his kindness and care.

Family and friends will be received from 4:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Monday at the Cunningham Becker Funeral Home, 270 N. Main Street in Poland.

A prayer service will be held on Tuesday at 9:15 a.m. at the funeral home followed by a Mass of Christian Burial at St. Nicholas Roman Catholic Church, 764 5th Street in Struthers at 10:00 a.m. with Fr. Martin Celuch officiating. Interment will follow at St. John the Baptist Catholic Cemetery.