Theresa (Marseglia) Nelson

Theresa Nelson, a wife, mother, friend, and absolute wonderful human being, passed away on May 2, 2024. She was 73. 

Born on July 8, 1950, the fourth and last child of Grace (nee Lucarelli) and Antonio Marseglia, an Italian immigrant, Theresa grew up in Wilmerding and graduated from Westinghouse High School in 1968. She married her first husband, Robert “Pay” Pajich in 1970, and had two kids with him, Bobby in 1974, and Jennifer two years later. 

They raised two people who try their best to be honest, kind, caring, loving, and grateful. Theresa was an active participant in her children’s lives, and made many sacrifices for the joy and well-being of her family. 

She served as a cub scout den mother, volunteered in the concession stand at games and practices where her kids played football and were part of the cheerleading squad, and was a proud marching band and color guard parent, all while working arranging flowers at Lea’s Floral in East McKeesport. 

After her first marriage to Pay ended in the late 90s, she found John Nelson, who she married in 2001. The marriage instantly gave her three additional daughters — Bridget, Kristin, and Julia — three women who she loved and cared for instantly and unconditionally.

Both John and Theresa counted themselves incredibly lucky to have found each other, and they spent the next 20 years or so doing things that made them happy. That included gardening, fishing, bingo, bowling, watching hummingbirds, and her most cherished activity — spending time with her family who she simply adored. 

Theresa was grateful her children found people who loved and cared for them. They are Bobby’s wife Amy, Jennifer’s partner Mike, Bridget’s wife Melissa, Kristin’s husband Danny, and Julia’s husband Benjamin. 

She adored her two grandchildren, Riley Jean and Logan John, who are Bridget and Melissa’s. 

She is survived by her sister, Angie and brother-in-law, Dave, as well as her best-friend Linda. Her brothers, Barry (Kay) and Victor (Judy), passed away in February and the Fall of 2022, respectively. She loved all their children: David, Amy, Eric, Ray, Diana, Anthony, Becky, and Lynn.  

She was also the sister-in-law of Rick Nelson (Karen), Kathleen (Tom) Mulkerin, Sandy (Danny) Selepec, and was an aunt to Rick, Ronnie, Micheal, Tommy, and Tawnie.

Family and friends are welcome on Tuesday from 2pm to 8pm in the Alfieri Funeral Home, Inc., 201 Marguerite Ave, Wilmerding, Pa 15148, 412-824-4332. Additional Visitation will be on Wednesday from 10am until the time of service at 11am. Please visit us at www.alfierifuneralhome.com for online condolences. 

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