Theresa (Pianka) Dykas, 96, of Middletown passed away peacefully at The Hospital of Central Connecticut on December 17, 2022.

Theresa (Terry) was the youngest of thirteen children born to Peter and Marianna Pianka. She was proud of her Polish heritage and carried on the customs and traditions she grew up with passing them on to her children and grandchildren.  Terry was actively involved in the same parish she attended as a child, St. Mary's of Czestochowa. An active member of the Ladies Guild for many years she was president of the guild in her late eighties.  She enjoyed being a member of the church choir. Her love for family was at the center of everything she did.  She fondly told stories of how loving and helpful her siblings were to her and how blessed she felt to do the same for them as they aged and needed care.

Terry worked at the Middletown Board of Education for 29 years starting in the schools as a secretary and soon after in the Business Administration Department as Payroll Supervisor.

She was an amazing role model; strong, independent, caring, accepting and intellectually curious. She was simply the heart and soul of the family. We will miss mom dearly and will continue her beautiful legacy of family and love that she so beautifully lived every day.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years John J. Dykas, Jr., son Michael Henry and son-in-law Robert Pelletier.  She is survived by sons James Dykas and wife Allison of Wethersfield, William Dykas and wife Cece of Boca Raton, Florida and daughter, Susan Pelletier of Rocky Hill; grandchildren; Kathryn Jurkovich and husband Evan of Colorado, Laura Dykas of Washington, Jessica Frechette and husband Roland of Newington, Evan Pelletier of Michigan, Claire Dykas of Virginia and Peter Dykas of San Francisco and several nieces and nephews.

Her funeral liturgy will be held on Thursday, December 29th at 11:00 a.m. at Saint Mary's of Czestochowa Church, Middletown.  Burial will follow at Calvary Cemetery.  Family and friends may gather prior to the service from 9 to 10:30 a.m. at Biega Funeral Home, 3 Silver Street Middletown.

Donations may be sent to St. Mary's of Czestochowa Church, 79 S. Main St., Middletown, CT 06457.