Teresa Liberatore Davisson, 74, formerly of the First Ward and Suncrest areas of Morgantown, WV, passed away on December 20, 2021 in West Chester, Ohio, where she had recently relocated after several years of declining health.
Everyone who met Teresa knew she was a true firecracker--born on the Fourth of July, 1947 in Morgantown. She was the daughter of Mumfred “Mundy” Liberatore and Ergia Forlini Liberatore Wright. She was proud to be a granddaughter of Italian immigrants from Abruzzo, Italy.
Teresa was preceded in death by her father Mundy. His death, which occurred when she was 22 years old, had a profound impact on her for the rest of her life. He owned and operated Mundy’s Neighborhood Bar on Madigan Avenue for over two decades. Teresa was preceded in death less than a year ago by her mother, Ergia, who also worked at the bar and who, until her death, retained ownership of the building which has been a gathering place for family and friends for years. Teresa was also preceded in death by several aunts and uncles: Guy Forlini, Rome and Mary Forlini, Mario (Mir) and Grace Liberatore Mitchell, Arthur Liberatore, and Michael Toth.
Teresa is survived by her sister, Mary Ann Liberatore, of Morgantown; daughters Dr. Laura Davisson (and husband James Boyce) of Morgantown, and Elizabeth “Bess” Odle (and husband Mike Odle) of Cincinnati; four grandchildren, Maria and Anton Boyce, and Andrew and Charles Odle. She is also survived by her aunts Geraldine Toth, Antonietta Forlini, Irene Liberatore and Virginia Alexander, and her uncle Emil Alexander.
Teresa was a bright student at Morgantown High School (MHS) where she was elected VP of the student body. She enjoyed playing flute in the MHS band and performing as a Mohiganette. Her First Ward neighbors from childhood were some of her closest lifelong friends. She graduated from West Virginia University with a degree in biology. Her first job after graduation was teaching science at a seminary school in Parkersburg, WV. She married and moved to Pittsburgh, PA where her two daughters were born. She and Daniel Davisson, her husband at the time, ran a business. After divorcing, she moved back to her hometown of Morgantown, WV with her daughters. Building on her life experiences and following the role model of her own working mother, she instilled in her daughters the importance of education and being able to support themselves. Teresa went back to school to study computers and then worked at WVU Hospitals until she retired and could focus on being “Nonna” to her grandchildren whom she adored. She valued family highly and remained close and loyal to her numerous cousins throughout her life. That was part of the inspiration for a multi-generational party hosted by her daughter that became an annual tradition for friends and family.
Teresa is remembered by all as being the life of the party. Within a few hours of her passing, there were numerous inquiries as to when there would be a memorial games night because she enjoyed playing board games and traditionally hosted a small party to play them on Christmas night. She was well known for her infectious laughter, sometimes called “cackling.” She enjoyed collecting catalogs, shopping online, aquatics exercises, and fighting against weight bias.
For those of you who knew Teresa, it should come as no surprise that she had some very interesting and specific requests for her funeral arrangements. She wanted at least one joke to be included. She wanted music to be performed by several musicians she knew (daughter, Bess to play Taps; Rosie Ryon and Tom Hutchinson to sing) and each of her grandchildren to speak. She also hoped Carolyn Peluso Atkins, her longtime friend, would tell her favorite memory of their times together. Teresa assumed it would be about something unexpected they found in the Marilla baby pool (but you’ll have to get the scoop on that from Carolyn). Teresa envisioned a large party after the ceremony with a DJ, people dancing to the beer barrel polka, and of course, pasta to eat. She wanted her entire MHS65 Facebook group to be invited. She had a long and eclectic list of songs to include.
With her science background, Teresa would have wanted to follow appropriate protocols to keep mourners safe. The kind of funeral she envisioned is not possible.
The family wishes everyone could mourn together in the outlandish manner Teresa wanted. However, there are alternatives. To start, Teresa was known for having a particular fondness for dark chocolate Dove ice cream bars. Please have one in her honor. To address her desire for her funeral attendees to “laugh really hard,” everyone can celebrate her birthday on the next Fourth of July with a bash that fulfills that wish. Maybe someone will be inspired to try to accommodate some of her remaining wishes, even if virtually. It will be interesting to see if anyone volunteers to be the streaker.