MIFFLINTOWN, Theresa M. “Tere” Quay, 85, of the Hearthside Nursing Home, State College, and formerly of Mifflintown, died at 8:20 a.m., Sunday, September 12, 2010 at the home. .

Born on July 19, 1925, in Juanacatlan, Mexico, she was the daughter of the late Miguel and Josefa (Orozco) Palos. In 1927, she along with her mother and brothers moved to the United States. Her husband, Donald E. Quay preceded her in death on September 18, 1998.

Surviving are a daughter, Sandra T. Pilarski and her husband Bernie, a granddaughter, Alexandra Queen and a great-granddaughter, Lillian Queen all of Ripon, Calif.

One daughter Janice L. Quay preceded her in death on September 18, 2007 and she was the last of her immediate family having been preceded in death by her four brothers, Manuel Palos, Salvador Palos, Emilio Palos, and Erasto “Buddy” Palos.

Throughout her life, Theresa worked with teens as a teacher and a mentor. She taught religious education to the youth of St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Mifflintown where she was a member for over sixty years.

In earlier life she worked in the Bethlehem Steel Works and later as a typist in Washington, D.C. during World War II. After moving to Mifflintown, she worked in Renninger’s Shirt Factory until she devoted herself full time to Quay’s Greenhouse and Nursery, which she founded along with her late husband Donald.

“Tere” enjoyed deer hunting, fishing, traveling and she also had a passion for painting in oils.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:30 a.m., Friday, September 17, 2010, from St. Jude’s Catholic Church, Mifflintown with Father Fidelis Umukoro celebrating. Interment will in Union Memorial Gardens, Mifflintown.

For those who wish, memorial donations in Mrs. Quay’s memory may be made to the St. Jude’s Catholic Church, c/o building fund, P.O. Box 187, Mifflintown, PA 17059.