Theresa Kautz Connolly

Theresa Kautz Connolly, 53, of Clarks Summit, passed away peacefully in her home with Shannon Connolly, her beloved husband of 24 years, by her side. She is survived by her sons, Branden and Devin Connolly. Theresa endured a brave and courageous battle with breast cancer .

Born in Plainview, Long Island, N.Y., on March 17, 1965, she was the daughter of Evelyn Landyczskowski and husband, Bob, and the late Walter Kautz.

Theresa took great pleasure in hosting festive gatherings for family and friends, to which no one left hungry. In terms of throwing a party, nobody could do it quite like her.

She loved and cared for every living creature and had a strong passion for nursing sick, wounded animals back to health in the effort to find them a home.

Also surviving are her siblings, Debby Rennekamp and husband, Ted; Carolyn Kautz; Chris Kautz and partner, Tammi Gloss; and Wendy Ackerman; aunts, Millie Bossi and Carol Jeffrey; numerous cherished nieces and nephews; mother-in-law, Beryl Connolly; and brother-in-law, Sean Connolly and his wife, LuAnn.

She was also preceded in death by grandparents, Elizabeth and Joseph Bossi; and father-in-law, John Connolly.

Theresa possessed a uniquely pure sense of empathy, compassion and devoted loyalty. She was never jaded by the trials and tribulations of life's struggles, forever maintaining a rare innocent joy for which she will be celebrated and revered by all that knew her.

Her family is comforted in the vision that Theresa's soul has been guided to heaven's celestial and eternal embrace.

A funeral service will be held Sunday at 1 p.m. from the Chinchilla United Methodist Church, 411 Layton Road, South Abington Twp. Interment will be private at the convenience of the family.

Friends may call Saturday from 2 to 5 p.m. at the Lawrence E. Young Funeral Home & Cremation Svc., 418 S. State St., Clarks Summit.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Griffin Pond Animal Shelter, 967 Griffin Pond Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411 or the Chinchilla Hose Company, 113 Shady Lane Road, South Abington Twp., PA 18411.