Theresa (Michaels) Kalenak

Theresa (Michaels) Kalenak, 88, of Syracuse, passed away Thursday, January 28, 2021 from complications of COVID-19.

A lifelong resident of the Syracuse area, she was a 1949 graduate of Vocational High School. Theresa retired in 2008 after a 38-year career with the U.S.P.S., where she last managed the Federal Center branch. A devoted Catholic, she was a communicant of St. Joseph's Church and St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Church.

Theresa treasured her family. Her kindness and words of wisdom were rooted in her faith and she will be deeply missed by all.

Theresa enjoyed volunteering at Van Duyn Home and Hospital, dining out, golfing, swimming and traveling. She was an avid sports fan and could talk football and golf for hours. When she wasn’t watching sports, she was reading a good book or puzzling on a crossword at her dining room table. In warm weather, her family and the neighborhood got to watch her mowing her beautiful lawn daringly on her riding mower.

Theresa’s home was the best place to be during holidays because she was a terrific cook and Ukrainian cuisine was her specialty — no one went home hungry. She loved to laugh and was always interested in good conversation.

Theresa was predeceased by her daughter, Mary Kalenak; sisters, Mary Jasiel, Elizabeth Jarema and Irene Michaels; and brothers, John, Donald, David and Theodore Michaels.

Surviving are her daughter, Patricia of Tupper Lake; sons, Robert (JoAnn) of Hotchkiss, CO, John (Barb) of Springwater and David of Syracuse; grandchildren, Abigail, Lily and Kate; and several nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be held at a later date. Theresa will be laid to rest in St. John the Baptist Ukrainian Catholic Cemetery, Syracuse.

In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to St. Joseph's Church Food Pantry, 5600 W. Genesee St., Camillus, NY 13031.