DOVER - Theresa D. Winchell passed away Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
Mrs. Winchell was born Nov. 1, 1929 to the late James P. Donahoe and Elizabeth Moffett Donahoe.
She was born on a farm, and milked cows before school every day through high school. Theresa was a graduate of State Teachers College, now Salisbury State College, in 1946, and following, she graduated Washington College in 1950 and completed her Masters from Columbia University in 1954. While an air force wife, Theresa taught in Okinawa, Duluth, Minnesota and Marquette, Michigan. She worked as a school teacher for Caesar Rodney School District in the Nellie H. Stokes, W. Reily Brown and WB Simpson elementary schools, 2nd to 6th grades for 28 years, retiring in 1991. Theresa loved teaching children about different cultures, and in her words, "a good way of life". She also enjoyed reading, beach days, and traveling. She taught three different State Trooper families, a vice president of Beatrice Foods and her biggest challenge was instructing 42 children at Christ the King Mission School, in Okinawa.
In addition to her parents she was preceded in death by her husband, Richard G. Winchell; and sister, Rita Ryan.
She is survived by her son, James Winchell of Wyoming; her daughter, Maria Winchell (David B. Spence) of Austin, Texas; sister, Sara Malloy (Jack) of Ridgefield Conn.; three grandchildren, Samantha Winchell and, Jack and Michael Spence.
A mass of Christian burial will be held at 10 a.m., Thursday, March 15, 2018 at Holy Cross Catholic Church, 631 South State Street, Dover. Friends may call from 7 to 9 p.m. Wednesday evening at Torbert Funeral Chapel South, 1145 East Lebanon Rd., Dover. Interment will be held at Saint Dennis Cemetery, Galena, Md. following mass on Thursday.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks contributions be made to the Delaware SPCA, 455 Stanton Christiana Rd., Newark DE 19713. Flowers are welcome.
Letters of condolence and guestbook may be signed at www.Torbertfuneral.com