Theresa F. Jelenek, age 68, of Newark, DE, passed away on June 21, 2024.

She was born in Queens, NY, to Florence Ann and the late Dr. Leonard H. Beck. After graduating from St. Mark's High School as a member of the class of 1974, Terry took her Bachelor's Degree from the University of Delaware, and her Master's Degree in Business Education from Delaware State University. She began her career at DuPont in the secretarial pool and worked her way up to Corporate Trainer in the Information Technology and Marketing Department. Terry help found the DuPont Job-Sharing Program for part-time working mothers.

While earning her Master's Degree at Del State she continued her Academic Training of faculty, staff and students. She taught Business computer skills for various Dover and New Castle County Middle Schools. She was known for being a dedicated and exceptional teacher.  Terry retired and continued part-time work at the University of Delaware's English Language Institute and as a bookkeeper for Westech.

Terry enjoyed sewing, music, dancing, and was an accomplished pianist and tenor saxophone player in the St. Mark's Band.  She cherished her lifelong friendships from the St. Mark's Band.  She taught piano to the neighborhood children while growing up and enjoyed family beach vacations at Sea Isle City.  Her love of water brought her to water parks, cruises, snorkeling and Aruba.  Terry was a longtime parishioner of Holy Cross in Dover, DE and sang in the Gospel Choir. Upon returning to the Newark area and St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, she volunteered as a member of the Hospitality Committee.

Theresa is survived by her husband, Joseph Jelenek, III; her mother, Florence Ann Beck; son, Robert Sokola; daughter, Lauren Sokola; and grandchild, Bennett; her step-children, Amy Caglyan (Chris), Joseph Jelenek IV (Ana), Lynn Shlyankevich (Mark), and Allison Cooke (Jacob); and step-grandchildren, Joshua, Ava, Luka, Nolan, and Mabry. Terry is also survived by her nine siblings, Leonard J. Beck (Irena), Margaret Hohman (David), Catherine Lynch (Ray), Stephen Beck, Edward Beck, Thomas Beck, Elizabeth Cusack (Chrisopher), William Beck (Tracey), and Barbara Kelley (Nori) and her many nieces and nephews.

A visitation will be held at St. John the Beloved Catholic Church, 907 Milltown Road Wilmington, DE 19808 on Friday, June 28, 2024 from 4:00-7:00PM. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. John the Beloved on Saturday, June 29, 2024 at 11:30AM. Burial will be held privately.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in memory of Theresa F. Jelenek to the Saint Mark's High School Band Fund, Wilmington, DE 19808.