Theresa Oppedisano Cavaleri

July 13, 1937 - March 19, 2021

Theresa Oppedisano Cavaleri (“Mother Theresa”) died Friday, March 19, 2021, age 83, at her home surrounded by her loving family. She was born and raised in Albany, N.Y. She was the daughter of the late Mary (Mustari) and Dominic Oppedisano. Theresa was predeceased by her husband, Nicholas, and is survived by daughters Antonietta Renzi (Patrick), Vincenzina LaCosta (Robert); sons, Francesco (Claudia Rivera Domani), Domenico, Michael, and Anthony; a sister, Rosemary Looney (William) and brother, Philip Oppedisano (Darlene Katz); 18 grandchildren and 10 great grandchildren, and her sister-in-law, Maria Cavaleri Cavone. Theresa is also survived by 39 nieces and nephews as well as too many cousins to count. Theresa and her husband, Nicholas, were the proud owners of Cavaleri’s Restaurant - an Albany institution and Capital District landmark. It was frequented by wonderful families, neighborhood folks, politicians, and celebrities. Theresa will be remembered for her strong faith, generosity, love of family, music and, of course, her exceptional cooking. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday March 27, at 11:00 am at Mater Christi Church, 40 Hopewell St., Albany. Masks and social distancing will be required. Relatives and friends are invited and may also call at the Church Saturday morning from 9 am to 11 am. To view Mrs. Cavaleri's funeral by way of live stream please visit youtube.com/c/parishofmaterchristi Interment Our Lady of Angels Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to: Community Hospice, 445 New Karner Rd. Albany, New York 12205 or HUGS USA, a non-profit organization that helps lower income seniors and the underprivileged to which Theresa was strongly committed. HUGS USA, P.O. Box 1754 New York, New York 10101. Mother Theresa, You taught us that we have two hands one to take and one to GIVE... My Hands -These Hands - Our Hands - are YOUR Hands... When we were born, we were all born with our tiny hands, your hands. Your hands taught us love and kindness and how to share. Your love flowed from your hands into ours as you took our small hands in yours and guided them through childhood, teenager years, through adulthood and will for the rest of our lives. You held our hands, kissed our hands and washed them (like a million times probably), through our hands your hands, you both , mom and pops have taught us to use them in many ways, how to give and feel love and help those around us and to help ourselves. These hands – our hands – are your hands they are very powerful they give us strength, hope and the will to persevere. When we give to others with our hands, we are giving with your hands as well. You taught our small hands how to make this world a better place – and now our big hands and my huge hands are hopefully making a difference. Whether it be teaching students with special needs who do not have a voice like Anntonitte or helping and loving all the animals that would have probably be in attendance on Noah’s Ark with, my sister Vin’s unconditional love. Through both my sisters’ work---their hands, your hands, the both of you are present. If we talk about Frank and Dominick - to me best chefs in the world - You must talk about the undeniable ways they use their hands. Food is love. Through your hands their hands have prepared food for thousands of people. The art of cooking, sharing and giving food, just like you both, continue today and you are with them at every moment. Mike has an unbelievable knowledge of computers, video cameras, iphones ipads and i-whatever. He uses the hands that you’ve given him guiding him along the way. Through Mike’s talent he has always been there to help someone who may not have the experience with technology, and you both were present. Whether our hands are helping the less fortunate, the homeless and yes even maybe a stranger who lost his way - your hands are there as well helping too. These hands - our hands – are your hands. We remember the endless hours and countless days that you both worked so hard with your hands to carve out a better life for the six of us. By doing so it inspires us to persevere when things get difficult and obstacles seem too tough. We need only to look right in front of us at our hands - your hands - and they give us strength, courage and the ability to get back on up We look at our hands and understand the great sacrifices you both have made for us and it encourages us to emulate you both. Your hands not only taught ours how to work, but also how to love and play! Music, games and fun flow through our hands with ease. Plus, it would be almost impossible to speak without using them! You taught our hands how to emphasize our words and make them more powerful by waving them around as we talk! Whether we are shaking the hands of Presidents, governors or mayors - it's your hands shaking them as well. The dreams of your hands flowed into ours and continue to flow out through your grandchildren, great grandchildren and into the world. When we are meeting movie stars, directors or athletes - your hands are there with us meeting them as well You taught us how to pray with our hands for a better world, for the sick and the less fortunate, and, yes, years ago we would pray for a lot of snow just to have a day off from school. Because of your lessons, unselfishness, unconditional love, the examples you both displayed and of course your hands - we will continue to use our hands in the way which make you proud. You are with us every moment of every day. These hands, our hands, your hands, the gifted hands we gratefully inherited. They are like the both of you, a gift from God. Mother Theresa I realize this book will never conclude or I don’t have a reason ending ...it will go on and on and I will ... continue to have all the memories. Mother Theresa you are LOVE. Your son, Anthony Rocco Cavaleri #LoveWins Holding your Hand forever... Anthony R. Cavaleri MPA, MSW and Law, Columbia University Anthony R. Cavaleri