DeFabritis, Theresa L.
DeFabritis, Theresa L. age 55 of Stillwater passed away peacefully and courageously following a long battle with Lung Disease, Friday January 13, 2017 at the Newark Beth Israel Medical Center after complications from a lung transplant. Born in Newton, she was a lifelong resident of the area.
Daughter of the late Anthony C. and Louise R. (Sanford) DeFabritis, Theresa was a graduate of Sussex County Community College earning her Associates degree in Criminal Justice. She had worked many years as a Corrections officer and Security Supervisor. She had also worked as a cook for the Fairview Lake Camp as well as a Driver for Stocker Bus Co. Theresa’s passion was being a Firewoman and an Emergency Medical Technician. She was a founding and life member of the Hampton Twp. Fire Company as well as the Swartswood and Fredon Fire Dept.’s. She served as a Captain with the Sussex County Fire Police as well as Officer and life member of the State of NJ Fire Police, the Sussex County Fireman’s Academy as well as the County Board of Public Safety. A life member of the Sussex County and State of NJ Exempt Fireman’s Association, Theresa was also past Secretary and a member of the Relief Association.
As an Emergency Medical Technician, she was a life member of the Newton First Aid Squad as well as the Stillwater and Hampton Twp. squad’s. A past member of the 12 Dist. NJ First Aid Council, she was also a member of the NJ Forrest Fire Assoc. A former Girl Scout Troop Leader in Stillwater, Theresa was also a member of the Broadcaster Drum and Bugle Corps as well as a former car pool wrestling mom. A longtime member of the Baleville Congregational Church, Theresa was pre deceased by two brothers Anthony C. and John A. DeFabritis.
Survivors include her sons James W. Gummerson Jr. of Sandyston, Steven W. and his wife Shari Gummerson of Dingmans Ferry, PA, and Anthony “Mikey” R. Gummerson of Mansfield. Her daughters Danielle M. Gummerson of Paulinskill Lake, Chelsea R. Gummerson of Hackettstown and Terrisa M. “Muffie” Gummerson of Paulinskill Lake. Also survived by the love of her life William Talmadge of Paulinskill Lake, her brothers Richard A. DeFabritis of Astoria, NY, Anthony R. of Plains Town, NY and Michael of New Paltz, NY, her sister Gina Rodriguez of Partwell, VA as well as her grandchildren Devin A., Damian, Hailey M., Abbey Rose Gummerson, Violet Grainer, Maximus Raff, and Olivia M. Iwanicki as well as her beloved pets Bella, Riggs, Rafiki Jr., and Serendipity
Funeral services will be held Wednesday January 18, 207 at 11:00 AM in the Baleville Congregational Church #6 Church Rd. Newton, NJ (Hampton Twp.) . Interment will follow in the Stillwater Cemetery. Visitation will be in the Iliff-Ruggiero Funeral Home #156 Main St. Newton, NJ Tuesday Jan. 17th from 2-4 and 7-9 PM. In lieu of flowers memorials in Theresa’s memory may be made to either Shriners Hospital www.shrinershospitals.org or the NJ Sharing Network www.njsharingnetwork.org.
