Theresa (nee Caia) Nowaski, age 97 of Collinsville, IL, born June 25, 1924, in Collinsville, passed away on Sunday, November 28, 2021, at Cedarhurst of Collinsville.

Theresa was a bookkeeper by trade and worked in several offices and stores throughout the years.  She enjoyed spending time outside with her beautiful flowers and was very talented with all her endeavors. She was an avid golfer, bowler, loved to sew, and play cards with her friends and sisters.  She was of the Catholic faith and a member of Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in Maryville, IL.  She had a servant heart and was always caring for others.  She was kind, loving, compassionate, selfless, and hardworking.  Theresa was a wonderful wife, mother and grandmother and loved taking care of and spending time with her family.  She will be dearly missed.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Tommaso and Josephine ( nee Condello ) Caia; first husband, Melvin Simpson; second husband, Vincent Nowaksi; two sisters:  Antionette Recklein and Mary Williams; a brother, Rocco Caia; and stepson, Larry Nowaski.

Surviving is her daughter Mary Ellen (Otto) Daech; three grandchildren:  James Daech, Carrie Daech and Rebecca (Jim) Newman; six great-grandchildren:  Cody Daech, Emma Felden, Grace Daech, Maggie Newman, James Newman and Henry Newman; one great-great-granddaughter, Adeline Felden; two sisters:  Sera Flenniken and Rose Arth; stepdaughter, Sue Schafer; numerous nieces and nephews.

The family would like to thank the residents and staff at Cedarhurst of Collinsville for their compassionate care, kindness, and support.

Private family services will be held.  Burial will be in Lake View Memorial Gardens Cemetery, Fairview Heights, IL.

Memorials may be made in Theresa's honor to Family Hospice or Mother of Perpetual Help Catholic Church and will be received at the funeral home.  Memorials may be dropped off or mailed to Barry Wilson Funeral Home, 2800 N. Center Street, Maryville, IL 62062.  Checks should be made payable to the organization.