Theresa M. Orsini

We are deeply saddened to share that Theresa Marie Santavicca Orsini passed away peacefully on October 1st at the age of 97 at The Inn at Bear Trail. She was born July 28th, 1929, the youngest daughter of Joseph and Anna Santavicca.  Theresa lived a life full of love and faith sharing that with all who knew her.

After losing both her parents before she was two, Theresa was in an infant orphanage in Avella, PA for a few months until her mother’s cousin Teresa and her husband Ludivico Ardito brought her home to Mingo Junction, Ohio to live with their family. At 6 she joined her brothers and sisters at St Paul’s orphanage in Carnegie, PA until the age of 13 when she left to live with her brother in Detroit, Michigan. She eventually returned to the Ardito home to finish high school. She always considered Mingo Junction her home.  

Caregiving was her love language, and she usually expressed that with food. Cooking for her family and friends was her happy place. Known for her pasta, pizza and sauce, her baked goods were usually spoken for before they even made it to the church festival bake sale table. A generation of high school students fondly remember Mrs. O’s pizza from Friday night at the Search Retreats. Nothing made her happier than a table full of hungry mouths to feed. And even if you weren’t hungry, she knew you could eat. 

Her one goal in life was to have a family of her own, and nothing made her happier. She created a home full of laughter and love. It was important to share meals and attend mass together and support each other. And to learn that home was not a place but the people you called family. You didn’t have to be born in the family, Theresa welcomed many into the fold. And although Theresa loved her children, she was in love with her grandchildren and they were certainly the icing on the cake in her life. Nothing gave her more joy.

Theresa lived her life at 100% and was all in on everything she did. She always had a song in her heart and a smile on her lips. She loved fiercely, she was ornery and loved to laugh.  And when she hugged you, you knew she meant it.  

Theresa was preceded in death by her parents and siblings, her beloved husband, Tony and her son, Fr. Dominic Orsini. She leaves behind her daughter, Tonette, her son Nicholas, her son Anthony and his wife Stephenie, and her grandchildren, Tony, Nicole and Dominic and many more who called her Grammy, or Tica and loved her as their own. 

The family would like to express their gratitude to the aides and staff at the Inn at Bear Trail and Care 360 Hospice for their wonderful care.  

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, October 6th, from 4 p.m. to 7 p.m. at Rutherford Funeral Home at Powell, 450 West Olentangy Street, Powell, Ohio 43065. On Wednesday, October 7th, from 4 p.m. to 6 p.m. at Mosti Funeral Home, 4435 Sunset Blvd., Steubenville, Ohio 43952. Funeral Mass on Thursday, October 8th, at 10 a.m. at St. Agnes Church, 204 St. Clair Ave., Mingo Junction, Ohio 43952. 

Offer condolences, www.mostifuneralhome.com