Theresa was born in the Pocono Mountains of Pennsylvania. Growing up in a small town where her family had settled and where everyone knew everyone else (and a lot were related). She graduated from Pocono Mountain High School spending most of her extracurricular time in the band and chorus with her focus on being a majorette in marching band (including captain in her senior year). Following high school, she went to college at the University of Scranton and graduated with a BS in Public Administration. During high school she met her person, Peter, and they have been together for 40 years and married for 37 years!