Theresa Corris

Theresa "Terry" (Giammona) Corris, age 97, passed away peacefully on April 8, 2020 at Park Place Center in Monmouth Junction, NJ.She was a beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend, who brought joy to so many people throughout the course of her life.

Terry's highest praise for someone was when she called them a "hard worker" — probably because she worked so hard during her lifetime and respected others who did too. Born in 1922 in North Bergen, she was a young girl during the Great Depression and her father worked several jobs to keep the family afloat in hard times. Her mother died when she was four years old and after her older sister married, Terry took over the household at the age of 10.When she was sixteen, she got her first paying job at a dress shop in Union City.

Though she worked hard taking care of the family, she relished life too. She and her best friend, Dotty, loved to go to dances and block parties. It was at one of these block parties that Dotty introduced Terry to Joseph "Joe" Corris, who she married in 1942, shortly before he left for the army during World War II.

While Joe was fighting for the Allies in Europe, Terry was a "Rosie the Riveter," working in a factory making fine tungsten wire — a material that was highly important to the War effort. She was at the factory when Joe returned home in 1946 and found her note on their apartment door (she left one every day just in case) and they were reunited. Although it was February, the Christmas tree was still up because she refused to celebrate another holiday without him.

Terry loved her family above all else. She and Joe had three children: Kathleen in 1947, Steven in 1949 and Joseph in 1962. While raising her children, Terry often worked and volunteered as a Den Mother for the Boys Scouts in North Bergen. She held various jobs in factories, as a waitress and in retail until her retirement from Kmart in 1984.

After retirement, Terry and Joe moved from North Bergen to a 10-acre farm in Thompson, PA. Their dream of living on a farm had finally come true after more than 40 years. They lived in Pennsylvania until 2001; Terry returned to NJ after Joe's passing to be closer to family.

Terry gave big hugs, loved to laugh and had a smile that was infectious.She was known for her good cooking and her slow cooked meatballs and sauce were the stuff of legend.She loved to eat and to share a meal with others.No one ever left her home with an empty stomach, or without a container of leftovers for another time.

She is predeceased by her husband Joe, her parents Paul and Mary (Ligotino) Giammona; her brothers Carmen and Vincent Giammona, and her sister Stella Zaccardo.

Surviving is her daughter Kathleen Corris, granddaughter Jeanette Corris, grandson-in-law Richard Menta and great granddaughter Kathleen Corris Menta of East Brunswick; her son and daughter-in-law Steven J. and Sheila Corris of Park Ridge, grandson and granddaughter-in-law Steven and Brie Corris, and grandson Michael Corris; her son and daughter-in-law Joseph and Sharon Corris of Vernon, grandson Kenneth Corris and grandson and granddaughter-in-law Timothy and Isis Corris; and her nephew (who was like a son) Bruce Clemens of Pleasant Mount, PA.

A Life Celebration Memorial Service will be held at a later date. Burial of her cremated remains will be at Van Lieu Cemetery in North Brunswick.Arrangements are by The Crabiel Home for Funerals, 170 N Main St-at Riva Ave, Milltown. You may sign the online condolence "guestbook" at www.crabiel.com.