Theresa J. Zydel

HERKIMER – Theresa J. Zydel, age 72, of North Washington Street, formerly of East Springfield and Schuyler Lake, passed away on Monday evening, March 2, 2026, in Wynn Hospital, Utica after a brief illness.

Theresa was born on November 29, 1953, in Poughkeepsie, the daughter of the late Joseph and Barbara Selig Silvers. She was raised and educated in Poughkeepsie. After graduating high school, she furthered her education at Mohawk Valley Community College where she earned a bachelor's degree in nursing. For many years she was a registered nurse at Bassett Medical Center in Cooperstown, where she worked in the ICU and taught PALS (Pediatric Advanced Life Support) to new doctors. She had to leave her beloved job behind in 2005 due to her health. On October 4, 1980, she married David J. Zydel, whom she met at the hospital in 1973.  He was her partner and best friend until his passing on September 3, 1997. Theresa was a person who loved fall foliage and animals and was especially fond of arts and crafts. For years she made porcelain dolls in Cooperstown and was always on the lookout for a new decoupage project.

She is survived by her son Jacob Zydel of Redmond, Washington, her daughter Ashley Zydel and her companion Haakon Standal of Redmond, Washington, and many nieces, nephews, and cousins. Besides her husband David and her parents, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister-in-law Joseph and Veronica Silvers and her sister and brother-in-law Barbara and William Mosher.

Calling hours for Mrs. Zydel will be held on Thursday, May 7th, from 11:00am to 1:00pm in J. Seaton McGrath Funeral Home Inc. 40 West James Street, Richfield Springs, with a funeral service to follow at 1:00pm at the funeral home. Burial will take place at the Schuyler Lake Cemetery.