Theresa VanAlphen

The most beautiful person you could have ever had the privilege of knowing, went to be with her Heavenly Father on December 10th, 2024. Theresa (Salvato) VanAlphen (aka Mother Theresa, aka Ma Dukes and Diddi) passed peacefully with her loving family by her side. Theresa was born in Brooklyn, NY on November 15th, 1945, to the late Anthony and Mary (Torre) Salvato. Her family moved to Cairo, NY in 1947, where soon after they established the Cairo Gardens Restaurant. In later years, the Salvato family then opened Theresa’s Luncheonette in Hudson, NY, where Theresa met her soon-to-be husband, Bill. Over the years, Theresa worked at various factories, including the pocketbook factory in Hudson and the knitting factory in Catskill. In 1971, Theresa and Bill married and went onto raise four beautiful children – Rachael, William, Charlie, and Sarah. When Theresa wasn’t busy raising her children, all the teenagers who considered Theresa their mom, caring for her grandchildren, and many other family and friends, she kept herself busy knitting, crocheting, and watching her Korean soap operas. She found a true love in watercolors and painted the most beautiful pieces; in fact, one of her paintings can be found hanging on the walls on the 4th floor at Columbia Memorial Hospital. Theresa was always known to keep her door open for anyone who wanted to visit and share a cup of coffee and conversation. Theresa was welcomed with open arms at the gates of Heaven by her father, Anthony Salvato, her mother, Mary (Torre) Salvato, her brothers Joseph and Dominic Salvato, her unborn son, and her grandson, Evan Lawton. Theresa was always there when you needed her the most – offering support, wisdom and love. She has left behind a legacy of kindness and strength, loyalty and honesty, and a loving family to carry on what mattered to her the most. Her legacy will be carried on by her husband, William D. VanAlphen, her children, Rachael (Bill Hermance) VanAlphen-Coons, William A. (Jennifer Haberland) VanAlphen, Charles (Kristin) VanAlphen, and Sarah (Gerald) Lawton, her grandchildren, Brianna (Shane) Halleran, Melanie (Jameson Gough) VanAlphen, Mackenzie (Billy White) Tiano, Ashley (Marlon Baker) VanAlphen, Jared Lawton, Nathan VanAlphen, Cameron VanAlphen, Lucas VanAlphen, Jesse Lawton, Madilynn VanAlphen, Abigail Hermance, her great grandchildren, Alijah Baker, Revlyn Halleran, and Ariyah Baker, her sister and best friend, MaryAnn (Charlie) Keifer, her niece Bianca Salvato, loving family members including Diane Guimond, John Duda, Jennifer Salvato, and many other cousins, nieces, and nephews – all of whom have promised Theresa to remain just as close, to love fiercely and unconditionally, and most importantly, to never forget to always forgive. To no one’s surprise, in true Matriarch fashion, in Theresa’s last few days, she left us with immeasurable life lessons, and a quote we know she would want us to share with all of you – “Love and forgiveness brings joy to the heart. Know that God accepts us with all our flaws and the best gift you can give yourself is to forgive. Forgiveness is the road to joy.” ~Theresa (Salvato) VanAlphen The family wishes to express their sincere gratitude to the dedicated staff at New York Oncology Hematology Cavell Cancer Treatment Program, Hudson, NY and at Columbia Memorial Hospital, for their compassionate, unwavering care. A service will be held on Monday, December 16th, 2024, 9am-11am at Bates and Anderson in Hudson, NY followed by a burial at Cedar Park Cemetery. At the conclusion of services, all are welcome to join the family at “The VanAlphen House”, where hundreds have been welcomed before, to share coffee and memories.

Theresa VanAlphen

November 15, 1945 - December 10, 2024

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Theresa VanAlphen

November 15, 1945 - December 10, 2024

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