Teresa Viglia Mistretta

Teresa Viglia Mistretta passed away August 28, 2020 in her home with her family by her side.  She was born June 4, 1922 in Lake Charles, LA to Joseph and Ursula Maggiore Viglia.  She was a lifelong resident of Lake Charles and a graduate of Lake Charles High School.  Teresa was member of the first graduating class of McNeese State University, and a graduate of Hotel Dieu School of Nursing in New Orleans, LA.  She completed her industrial, clinical, and surgical nursing in Lake Charles.  After WWII, when the air base was returned to Lake Charles, and the hospital base was reactivated, she was asked to assume the responsibility of developing a surgical operating room, emergency room. OB room and T & A room at the base hospital and served as coordinator of these disciplines after the hospital reopened.

Teresa married Albert Mistretta in 1947, and was a stay-at-home mother to her two children, Janis and James.  A pioneer in the field of nursing, she saw the need for a more supportive and compassionate level of nursing care for those patients confined to home, or those in the final stages of life.  In June of 1967, she and Dr. Eli Sorkow established the first Home Health Agency in Lake Charles, and the second in the State of Louisiana, and went on to establish the first hospice in Lake Charles.  She was active in the National and State organizations serving two years on the state board.  She was member of the Mid Louisiana Health Systems Agency, Inc.  She was awarded the certificate of Notable Accomplishment in May of 1984 by the local District Nurse’s Association.  She was also active in the Local United Appeals Campaign in charge of the Women’s Division in 1969.  She was active in the Lake Charles Chamber of Commerce, where she was honored for being one of the top producers for the most new members.  In 1987 she merged both of her nursing agencies with Memorial Hospital after twenty years of operation and retired shortly thereafter.

Teresa loved entertaining her entire life.  After moving to Moss Bluff, she and Albert enjoyed many years in her “dream” home on the river in Moss Bluff, entertaining family and friends. She was known for her delicious Italian inspired cuisine, and parties with her dear lifelong friends. She was an avid bridge and mahjong player and enjoyed the “challenge of winning” immensely.  A true lady, stylish for all occasions, yet a beautiful free spirit always ready for an adventure, she loved history, music, and nature and marveled at all of God’s miraculous creations surrounding her.   A devout Catholic and member of the Cathedral of Immaculate Conception, her family and faith were, first, foremost, and everything to her.

Those left to cherish the memories and blessing of the greatest love only a mother can shower on her children throughout their lives are, her children, Janis Mistretta Pauley and her husband Jim; and her son, James Mistretta; her sister, Lena Roush and many nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her husband of 58 years, Albert Mistretta; her parents; her brothers, Joseph Viglia and Dr. Peter Albert Viglia; sisters, Jenny Siener and husband Francis, Nancy Mancuso, and husband Bill, and Mary Buehler and husband Otto.

Teresa is so grateful for the love, care and sharing of their family, Janis, James, and son-in-law, Jim throughout her life and for the medical care and attention from Dr. Ron Lewis, Jr., and Dr. Michael Turner.  She would also like to thank her long-time help and friend, Jean Reed.  The family would especially like to thank Janice Redlich, R.N. with St. Joseph’s Hospice for her love and support.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Louis Catholic High School, the Catholic Retreat Center, or St. Jude Children’s Hospital.

A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 4, 2020 in the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception in Lake Charles.  Msgr. Jace Eskind will preside.  Burial will follow in Consolata Cemetery under the direction of Johnson Funeral Home of Lake Charles.