Theresa Darpino Kolone (Mama T), aged 92, of Endicott, NY, went peacefully to be with Our Lord on April
11, 2021. She was predeceased by her parents, Nicholas and Julia Darpino, her brother, Dick, and her
sister, Virginia. She is survived by her loving husband of 74 years, Joe, her son, Rick, of Cascade,
Montana, and her daughters, Marion Kovach of Arlington, VA, and Julie Tallo and her husband Jim of
Endwell, NY. She is also survived by her sister-in-law, Laney (Helen) Darpino of Endwell, NY, and many
nieces and nephews.
Theresa was a devout member of St. Joseph’s Parish in Endicott, NY, her entire life. She first sang in the
junior church choir as a member of the “Choir Girls.” Her beautiful mezzo-soprano voice earned her
many accolades, moving people to tears. At UE High School, she tried out and won several state singing
contests. Her singing coach told her that her talent was deserving of Julliard, but she chose to sing for
Our Lord. After high school, she continued singing with the St. Joseph’s Senior Choir, and one Christmas
Eve in the early 1950s, she performed “O Holy Night” as the featured soloist with the choir on The
Ralph Carrol Show. She loved cooking and baking, and each year contributed to the church bazaar by making her delicious halupkis and kolachki. She enjoyed travel with her husband, Joe, especially on their yearly trips to California to see their son, Rick. They frequently included trips to Las Vegas and Laughlin, Nevada, to enjoy their favorite pastime, “playing the slots.” Theresa’s favorite times were spent as the proprietor of Mama T’s Restaurant, Endwell, NY, which was named after her. She always said that when the doorbell rang, it wasn’t just a customer; it was a new friend. Everyone who met Theresa was immediately taken by her giving nature and sparkling personality. She was a great story and joke teller, and her timing was always on point. She will be missed by so many people.
Thank you to the nurses and staff at UHS Senior Living at Ideal, Endicott, NY, for their care and support
during the final years of her life. A special appreciation goes to the activities staff who arranged
wonderful entertainment providing singing, dancing, and bingo which Theresa really enjoyed.
Funeral services will be held Thursday, 11:00 AM at St. Joseph's Church 207 Hayes Ave. Endicott, NY. Burial will follow in Sts. Peter and Paul Byzantine Cemetery, Endwell, NY. There will be no calling hours. In lieu of flowers, expressions of sympathy in her memory may be made to St. Joseph's Church.
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