Therese Kaczmarek Kyliavas, of Madison, AL, passed away peacefully on October 12, 2017 at her daughter’s home in Huntsville surrounded by her family. Therese was born to Hedwig Kubicki Kaczmarek and Vincent Kaczmarek in Lens, France, on September 1, 1935. As a child, she survived the brutality of World War II and lived in a displaced persons camp in Germany following the war. Her immense strength and perseverance were forged at a very young age. She met her future husband of 60 years, Alfred E. Kyliavas in Germany in 1957 where he was stationed with the U.S. Army. They had four children on three continents. Therese supported her husband’s career and diligently and lovingly raised their children. She was employed for several years at Chesebrough-Pond’s Inc. She is remembered by all who knew her as an incredibly loving and giving person. Quick with laugh and a smile, she loved music, dancing and spending time with her family, particularly her grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She was a parishioner at St. John the Baptist Catholic Church in Madison, AL, since 1975. Her family includes her husband Alfred E. Kyliavas, daughter Linda T. Kenna (Patrick Kenna), who preceded her in death, daughter Jeanette D. Woods (Greg Woods, deceased), son Michael A. Kyliavas (Sarona Kohler) and son Raymond V. Kyliavas (Patricia Filipe Kyliavas). Her love for her children was matched only by her love for her grandchildren Jonathan M. Kenna (Cassie Barrow Kenna), Christopher J. Gorman (Robert Reddinger), Kristine T. Kenna (Ian Koger), Katherine S. Kyliavas and Nathan R. Kyliavas and her great-grandchildren Avery Kenna, Hudson Kenna and Khaleesi Koger. Her siblings are her brother Ludwig Kaczmarek, who preceded her in death, sister Jeanine Caron and brother Raymond Kaczmarek. She is also survived by her sister-in-law Erika Wagner and many nieces, nephews and grand nieces and nephews. Her funeral service will be held at Madison Chapel on October 15, 2017 at 12:00. Her final resting place will be near her daughter Linda at Memory Gardens in Huntsville. Therese was a breast cancer survivor and, in lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen Foundation, https://ww5.komen.org.
