Theresa Marie Tenore Novis

Mrs. Theresa Marie Tenore Novis of Marietta passed away peacefully at age 86 on June 17, 2024, surrounded by her loving family. She was born to her first generation Italian American mother Mary and Italian (Bisaccia) father Gaetano on July 2, 1937 in Weymouth, Massachusetts. The oldest of four Tenore children, Terri’s upbringing was equally rich in Italian and New England culture. Throughout her normal childhood and early adulthood, she was raised with the values of family loyalty, hard work, perseverance and a love and passion for sports. One of her first jobs was in the very first Dunkin’ Donuts store. After high school she became an excellent bookkeeper, a skill that would later prove valuable to her family. She loved competing and played almost any sport available to her. When she wasn’t playing, she was cheerleading. When she wasn’t playing or cheerleading, she was watching her beloved Red Sox, or bowling, or golf or whatever was on television. On Independence Day in 1959, she married the love of her life, Joe Novis. Together they began creating a family that would be their passion and focus for the rest of their lives. In 1970, after several moves ever southward and while pregnant with her fifth child, this beautiful, petite woman with her big personality and thick New England accent settled with her family in Marietta, GA. The neighborhood was small, safe and friendly with an abundance of families with numerous kids, and a golf course. Her first task after settling their home was to join her husband, her children and most of her neighbors by learning the game of golf. Mere months after taking up the game she became the first in the family to score a hole-in-one. Raising five children is an arduous task when both parents share the responsibilities, but Joe was an excellent salesman and traveled quite lot. Much of the time Terri was the family’s sole chef, chauffer, confidant, teacher, doctor, referee, judge, jury, jailer, friend, coach, assistant, carpenter, painter, plumber and banker – all with limitless love, passion, wisdom, energy and kindness. One of Joe’s more affectionate nicknames for his bride was “Swmbo”. She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed. Surprisingly, she was able to find some leisure time. She bowled in a local league for many years with her best girlfriends. She loved to garden and crochet. And of course, she loved to play and watch golf (she cried when Nicklaus won the ’86 Masters). She almost never missed any of her children’s ball games, golf matches or other events unless there was a conflicting schedule between the five kids. Her adopted favorite pro sports team became the Atlanta Braves. She rarely missed a game. Dale Murphy was her favorite. In 1980, she not only supported her husband when he wanted to start his own business but became an indispensable part of the organization – all while still raising five children ranging from ages 9-19. Joe was the salesman and rainmaker. Terri kept the books, handled the accounts receivable, accounts payable, shipping, receiving, operations and manufacturing. To this day the company she and Joe founded is still healthy and grounded in their vision, work ethic and values. As her sons and daughter married and began families of their own, Terri and Joe welcomed each into their family as their own blood. There was no such thing as in-laws. They were all daughters and sons, granddaughters and grandsons, great-granddaughters and great-grandsons. And they were all quickly informed of the important things in life – how to properly crack and consume a 1.5lb Maine lobster (loabstah), the majesty of a properly formed meatball, the delicate seasoning in her famous tomato sauce, and all the words to every song on Lou Monte’s album Pepino The Italian Mouse. In her later years as she battled Alzheimer’s, she never lost her feistiness and joy to be a part of family and social gatherings. She would roll her walker right in the door, give each person an “it’s so good to see you” smile and then wink, as if to announce “SWMBO IS IN THE HOUSE!”. To those who knew her, Terri was feisty, loving, caring and fiercely loyal and will be missed every day. She is survived by her five children and their spouses, ten grandchildren, three great-grandchildren and her sister Mary. She was predeceased by her husband Joseph Novis, her sister Gaye, brother Anthony and granddaughter Amber. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to The St. Vincent De Paul Society and your favorite organization that battles the evil Alzheimer's disease.

Theresa Marie Tenore Novis

July 2, 1937 - June 17, 2024