Theresa H. "Tess" Nowakowski Sasse, formerly of Freeport Road, died Friday at the Chicora Medical Center.

Born Oct. 18, 1921, in Butler, she was the daughter of John and Catherine Schmidt Nowakowski.

She worked as a bookkeeper for the Pennsylvania Department of Health in the Deshon Hospital for 20 years until her retirement. Before that she worked for Olson Dairy and the Homer Tack Excavating Co. in Butler.

During World War II, she volunteered as a nurse's aide at Butler Memorial Hospital.

She enjoyed the outdoors, gardening, playing golf in her younger years, and especially camping at her camp in Cook's Forest and her old former camp in Dents Run.

She was a member of St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church in Butler and was a volunteer for the St. Michael Eucharistic Adoration Chapel.

Surviving are a brother, Mark B. Nowakowski and his wife, Irene, of Butler; a sister, Elizabeth Gilchrist of Columbiana, Ohio; many nieces and nephews, the closest of whom to her were: Mrs. Russell (Kathy) Geibel, Mark Nowakowski, Dean Nowakowski, Mrs. Robert (Carol) Schiebel, Mrs. Richard (Sheri) Romano, and their families; and a number of stepchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Victor Sasse, who died on May 6, 1982; four brothers and six sisters.

NOWAKOWSKI — Friends of Theresa H. "Tess" Nowakowski Sasse, who died on Friday, Feb. 17, 2006, will be received from 2 to 4 p.m. and 7 to 9 p.m. Sunday at the GEIBEL FUNERAL HOME, 201 E. Cunningham St. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 10 a.m. Monday at the St. Michael the Archangel Roman Catholic Church, 432 Center Ave., with the Rev. James Dolan officiating. Burial will follow in the Calvary Cemetery.The Bereavement Committee of St. Michael will conduct a Parish Vigil Service at 3 p.m. Sunday at the funeral home.Please visit the funeral home web site at www.geibelfuneralhome.com.