Theresa Scala Schwalm

Theresa ("Terry") Scala Schwalm passed away on March 16, 2019 at the age of 94 in St Petersburg, FL. Terry was born in New York, New York on March 27, 1924. She graduated high school early and at the age of 16 she embarked on her secretarial career in Manhattan. It was while working for the Civil Aeronautics Authority that she met her first husband, Arthur E Scala, Sr. Together they lived in Dearborn MI, and were married for 35 years. While raising her children, Terry earned her undergraduate degree at The University of Michigan-Dearborn, and her Masters degree in Library Science from Wayne State University. She was both an elementary school teacher and librarian at Kinyon Elementary School in Taylor, MI. As a widow, she moved to Florida. It was here on Clearwater Beach she met her husband of 35 years Glendon (Glen) Schwalm. Glen and Terry enjoyed boating. They were past members of the St Petersburg Yacht Club, where Terry was part of the Salty Sisters. With Glen as Captain, and Terry as First Mate they sailed 6 times from Florida to the Chesapeake Bay. Mrs. Schwalm is preceded in death by her parents Charles H and Theresa Brown; sister, Margaret Butler; brother Charles H Brown; her husband Arthur E Scala, Sr; and infant daughter Margaret Scala. She is survived by children Mary Louise (the late Kenny Jones) Scala of Springfield, VA, Elizabeth Scala of Chelsea MI, and Art (Cheryl Celeskey) Scala of Tipton MI; Step-grandchildren Stephen (Shannon) Celeskey, Morgan Celeskey, and step-great grandchildren Alyssa Fox, Dominic Celeskey, Thomas Celeskey. Her devoted husband of 35 years Glendon H Schwalm of Seminole, FL; step-children Michael (Nancy) Schwalm, and step grandchildren Hannah and Sarah Schwalm. Nephews Chris and Mark Butler, and niece Allyson Luna also survive. The family thank the staff of Brookdale Bay Pines, Clare Bridge; Sunccoast Hospice; and the outreach ministry from Blessed Sacrement Church for their kind, loving, and faithful care of our mother during her long illness. Family is being served by R. Lee Williams and Son Funeral Home and Crematory. Funeral Mass is be said at Blessed Sacrament Church Wednesday, March 20, 2019 at 11 am.. Donations in the memory of Terry Scala Schwalm may be sent to www.CSKdetroit.org; Capuchin Soup Kitchen 1820 Mount Elliot St, Detroit, MI 48207.