Obituary of Theresa M. Shwahla

Theresa M. Shwahla, 84, of Freehold, loving sister, sister-in-law, friend and "Aunt CeCe”, passed away on Saturday, March 4, 2023, at CentraState Medical Center, Freehold Township. Theresa was born in Neptune Township and a lifelong Freehold resident. Theresa was a graduate of Freehold High School, Class of 1956. She was employed by the Township of Manalapan for 31 years as the Registrar of Vital Statistics and Board of Health Secretary. She was a past president of the Central Jersey Registrar Association. Theresa was also a part-time employee as a switchboard operator at Six Flags Great Adventure for 30 years from their opening in 1974. Theresa was honored by the Mayor and Council of the Borough of Freehold on the occasion of her 80th birthday in 2018. She was an active communicant of St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold, where she often assisted Msgr. Thomas A. Coffey, the former Pastor, organized over 20 gift auctions, and decorated the church and chapel for the holidays. Theresa served as president of both the St. Rose of Lima Rosary Altar Society and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post No. 4374 Auxiliary. She was greeted in heaven by her beloved husband Steve, her parents, Emilie and Michael Zarnofsky, her brothers, Andy Zarnowski, Joe Zarnowski and Richard Wardell, her sisters, Mary Lambert, Helen Johnson, Ceil Valenczius, and Agnes Barczak, her sister-in-laws, Rhonda Zarnofsky and Komitsu Wardell, her nephews, Andy Zarnowski and Joe Barczak, and her nieces, Janet Sullivan, Kathy Johnson, and Mary Hines. Theresa is survived by her sister, Rose Marie Laird and her husband Larrie W Laird; her brother, Michael Zarnofsky; her nieces, Joanie Hampton (Thomas), Lisa Laird Dunn (Jerry), Jessica Zarnofsky (Jon), Jo Ann Valenczius, Darcy Zarnowski, Laura Strauber, Nancy DeSanto and Kathy Ricci; her nephews, Jimmy Zarnowski (Sai Bua), Joe Zarnowski (JoAnne), Richard Wardell (Betty), Michael Wardell (Donna), Anthony Wardell, Walter Hines, Paul Zarnowski, Scott Johnson, Paul Johnson, Michael Johnson, Jeff Johnson and Nils Lambert; her grandnieces, Amanda Zarnowski (Joe), Lisa Hampton, Christina Zarnowski, Kelly Zarnowski and Laird Emilie Dunn; her grandnephew, Gerard Dunn; her cousin Kathy Davies (Jim); and her caregiver, Alison Johnson. Theresa’s family sends gratitude to her dear friends at Hudson Manor for their kindness and assistance with her care. The viewing will be held at the Higgins Memorial Home, 20 Center Street, Freehold on Monday, March 13, and Tuesday, March 14, from 4 to 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at St. Rose of Lima Church, Freehold on Wednesday, March 15 at 10:30 a.m. followed by interment at the parish cemetery. In lieu of flowers, memorial donations to the St. Rose of Lima Church, 16 McLean Street, Freehold, NJ 07728 would be appreciated.