Theresa (Terry) Margaret Kraft

Theresa (Terry) Margaret Kraft, 68, of Springdale, Ark., died Sunday, Oct. 9, 2011, at Circle of Life Hospice Home in Springdale after a long battle with cancer. Terry was born June 10, 1943, in Brooklyn, N.Y., to Louis and Marie Serra. She was a proud graduate of Our Lady of Wisdom Academy in 1960. After graduation, Terry worked for Pan American Airlines, where she met Richard Kraft, whom she wed on May 11, 1963. Together, they lived in and around Queens, N.Y. until 1977, when they moved to East Rockaway, N.Y. There, she was a full time mother, dedicated housewife, and also began a career in banking. In 1988, Terry moved with her family to Eureka Springs, Ark., where she worked for Arvest Bank Group for many years. She was involved in her community and loved the town of Eureka Springs. She owned and operated Mama Serra's Spaghetti House in Eureka Springs from 1997 until her retirement in 2002. In 2003, she moved to Springdale and worked at the Walmart Home Office in Bentonville until 2009. She made many close friends during her time at Walmart and was loved by her co-workers. Terry enjoyed reading, cooking, traveling, and her family. She had a sharp sense of humor and delighted in a good practical joke. Terry is survived by her husband, Richard; son Chris, of Bentonville, Ark.; daughter Donna Lowe and her husband Ben, of Roscommon, Mich.; five grandchildren, Camryn LeRay, Jacob Lowe, Gabriella Kraft, Caleb Lowe, and Jordyn Lowe; brother Michael Serra and his wife Lorraine, of Howard Beach, N.Y.; and niece, Nicole Serra of Howard Beach, N.Y. She was preceded in death by her parents. Viewing will be Monday, Oct. 17, 2011, from 2 - 5 p.m. and 7 - 9 p.m., at Romanelli James-Stephen Funeral Home, in Ozone Park, N.Y. Funeral will be at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in South Ozone Park, N.Y., on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2011, at 9:30 a.m. Interment will be at St. John's Cemetery in Queens, N.Y. Arrangements will be handled by William A. Tari Funeral Home. Donations may be made in Terry's name to Circle of Life Hospice Home, 901 Jones Rd., Springdale, Ark., 72762, or at nwacircleoflife.org.