Obituary of Tekla M. Mucci

Age 90, passed away peacefully on Thursday, March 11, 2021, in Ithaca NY. Tekla was born in Elmira Heights, daughter of Daniel and Julia Baron Mysnyk. She was predeceased by her loving husband of 60 years Vincent "Jimmy" Mucci in 2012. She was also predeceased by her siblings, Mary Gush, George Mysnyk, Steven Mysnyk, Anna Kamas, infant sister Catherine; son-in-law Jon G. Toombs; sisters-in-law, Joanne Rohlin and Philomena D'Ambrosio. Tekla is survived by her devoted and loving daughter Bernadette M. Toombs of Owego NY; the apples of her eyes, treasured granddaughters, Elizabeth (Christopher) Gray of Ashfield MA and Sarah Cote of Owego NY; immensely loved great grandchildren, Katrina, Morgan and Kaylie Cote, William, Stuart, Magdeline, Elizabeth Alice, Richard Gray and grandson to be; cherished sisters-in-law and brother-in-law, Joseph and Irene Mucci of Elmira, Laura Mysnyk of Vestal and Betty Lewis of Horseheads; several dear cousins, nieces, nephews and special in heart godchildren. Tekla knew what a good life God blessed her with and she was known to look out for everyone else, often at her own expense. While she was still in Elmira she was active in both the Ukranian and Italian Catholic Church communities and was beloved by friends, neighbors and family everywhere. She worked as a telephone switchboard operator for New York Telephone, starting immediately after her high school graduation, retiring after 38 years. Tekla later volunteered with the Literacy Volunteers, read to students at the former George Washington Elementary School, and took pride in sewing bears for children in the hospital. Near and dear to Tekla's heart was working to beautify Eldridge Park, encouraging family and friends to donate towards trees around Eldridge Park Lake. Tekla donated the family's personal jukebox to the Park. She could typically be found on her hands and knees maintaining her beautiful flower and vegetable gardens, sharing her bounty with others. Tekla thrived on spending time with her daughter and granddaughters especially in the picking of blueberries. She cooked and cared for her husband, family, and those who visited her, always ready with a cup of tea and cookie or snack. Traveling the world with her husband, daughter and family filled her with such joy…. taking a cruise on the Mediterranean Sea, visiting countless countries in Europe, a Panama Canal cruise and accomplishing her bucket list to see Alaska, through the eyes of close friends and her daughter. She enjoyed taking trips to the beach, sitting on neighbors' porches, or her own front bench, on quiet mornings and pleasant evenings. Following her grandkids on bicycle rides for her favorite maple walnut ice cream, swimming with them, or just watching her family buzz around her, made her the happiest. Tekla was incredibly close to her daughter, as well as her brothers, sisters, granddaughters, and great grandchildren. She will be forever loved and missed. Family and friends are invited to call at St. Mary's Church, 224 W. Franklin Street, Elmira, on Friday, March 19, 2021 from 9:00 a.m. to 10:00 a.m. A Mass of Christin Burial will follow at 10:00 a.m. Covid protocol will be followed. Committal prayers and burial will then take place at St. Peter & Paul's Cemetery. Donations are encouraged in memory of Tekla and Jimmy Mucci to the Eldridge Park Carousel Preservation Society, P O Box 3056, Elmira NY 14905, to maintain the legacy of their "jukebox" and the trees around the lake and carousel. To view the streaming of the Mass, please go to, www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic. Facebook address is case sensitive.