We are saddened to announce the passing of Teresa Anna Lubrano-Lavadera Wundt on May 20, 2026, at the age of 89. Teresa was born April 25, 1937, on the island of Ischia, Italy and grew up on the island of Procida, Italy. She spent her youth playing in the ocean, collecting and eating cozze and climbing the hills of Procida with her brother and sister. She also had a knack for painting and pencil drawing abstract pictures, many of which are framed and hanging in her home. She left school in the 5th grade to become a governess, caring for and raising babies in their homes. In 1956 she entered a local beauty pageant and was elected “Graziella” on the island of Procida. Graziella being the protagonist of a tragic love story, written in the 19th century, about a local Procida girl. In 1965, she met her German born husband in a chance meeting on a ferry ride from Naples to Procida. They married August 22, 1968, in Procida with friends and family and 750 gladioli (she had wanted 900). She immigrated to the US in 1968, making her home in Denver, Colorado where she enrolled in English speaking classes and became fluent in the language. They later moved to Greeley, CO. In 1971, they welcomed their first-born Sabrina and a second daughter Simona in 1975. Teresa started an in-home day care a few years later, where she cared for and raised countless babies as if they were her own. She had a way with the little ones and they were always the highlight of her day, bringing her immeasurable joy and happiness. She retired from daycare after 22 years. She was an active supporter of her husband’s career, joining him in business trips and conferences. She also loved hikes and picnics in the mountains and many beach destination trips, as well as trips to her native Italy and surrounding European countries. As with most Italians, she was an excellent cook and baker and was not afraid to go into the kitchen of Italian restaurants and give them some of her helpful hints. She was also a very funny (often mixing up words or sayings in translation), strong, loving, spunky and feisty person with a lot of energy. Her family always brought her thee most joy.
She is preceded in death by her parents, Michele and Lucia Lubrano-Lavadera and her sister Amalia and brother-in-law Umberto Ambrosino. She is survived by her husband Wido Wundt of Greeley, CO, daughter Sabrina Hoyt of Loveland, CO and daughter Simona Jahnke (John) of Clermont, FL, grandchildren Peyton Hoyt of Loveland and Trystano and Anita Jahnke of Clermont. Her surviving family in Italy includes brother Guiseppe (Anna) Lubrano-Lavadera, nieces Stefania Esposito (Gianfranco), Luciana LaMalfa (Sandro), Antonella Rodriquez (Antonio) and Katia Proietti (Nunzio), as well as many grand nieces, grand nephews and friends.
A Celebration of Life will be planned for a later date. We have chosen the Natural Funeral as a more gentle and environmentally friendly way to return our beloved home. We Love You Mom!!!
