Therese (Aucar) Zreik

Therese Aucar Zreik of Sleepy Hollow, New York passed peacefully surrounded by her children and grandchildren on November 1st, the feast of All Saints’ Day, at 89 years old. Therese was born on June 2, 1934 in Beit Aucar, Lebanon to the late Boutros and Maria Aucar as one of seven children. In her family’s village surrounded by olive trees and farmland, she learned to appreciate nature and God’s creation. 

This love was passed down to her seven children, whom she is survived by - Marie Matta, Michael Zreik (Nelly), Pierre Zreik (Cecilia), Henri Zreik, Rita Gemayel, Roula Lee (Steve) and Charbel Zreik. She is predeceased by her late husband Rasheed Zreik, and siblings Sayde and Layla Aucar. 

Therese was selflessly dedicated to her children and brought them to America in 1984 from war torn Lebanon in search of a better life, and worked tirelessly to give them the best that she could. Her 13 grandchildren were the light of her life. They include Marie-Jose (Brian), Jean-Pierre, Rita, Isabelle, Mireille, Michelle, Andrew, Anthony, William, Christopher, Annabel, Elena and Olivia. 

For the last 30 years, she lived in a building where each of her kids also spent years of their lives - circling in and out at various stages but always with her as a constant. Therese was a devoted and faithful woman, whose Catholic faith guided her through life’s many uphill battles. She loved to cook Lebanese food, pray, sing and dance, and most of all - do those things with her family. She told stories over a cup of Arabic coffee, sharing words of wisdom and genuinely listening to those in her company. She loved to sit on her balcony and greet her neighbors, including her sister Mountaha, whom she shared a special relationship with throughout her life. 

While Therese relied on her children more in these final years, it was their greatest honor to give back to the person who gave them everything. Her connection to and support of her small village in Lebanon remained until the end of her life. She lived by example and left the world a better place. Therese was a matriarch whose legacy will live on in the many lives she touched.

Family and friends are invited to attend a visiting hour at St. Teresa of Avila Church in Sleepy Hollow, NY from 8-9:00am. A funeral Mass will immediately follow at 9:00am for all who wish to celebrate Therese’s life. Flowers may be sent to St. Teresa of Avila Church. 

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