Obituary of Teresa Cagnetti Sinnett

Teresa Cagnetti (Pat) Sinnett, 92, died Saturday, May 4, 2013. She was born to the late Joseph E. and Eva D. Cagnetti, on November 29, 1920, in Washington, D.C. After graduating from Western High School in 1939, Teresa attended Washington School for Secretaries, where she excelled in shorthand. She later worked as a buyer for Jelleff's Department Store on F Street, NW in D.C. It was at Jelleff's that Teresa met her then-future husband/forever best friend, Paul. When World War II began, Paul enlisted in the Navy. Teresa went to work for the Coast Guard. The two were married October 10, 1945, when Paul returned from the war. They lived in Arlington, Va., until 1950, when they purchased "Lot 9," and moved with their toddler-plus-one-on-the-way to one of the first homes in Pimmit Hills. In 1960, the family moved to Fairfax, where Teresa would spend the rest of her life. In 1961, Teresa returned to work, this time in the Budget and Finance office at the State Department. She retired from the State Department in 1972. More than life itself, Teresa loved her family and extended family. She held dear each of Paul's ten siblings and their families and was "Mom" to her daughters' and grandchildren's friends. A home-body at heart, Teresa made only one trip in the past 40 years; she and Kendra traveled to Nashville, where Teresa walked the halls of the Grand Ol' Opry, saw the show, and collected autographs. "A grand time," she said. Teresa began each day tossing peanuts to the squirrels and birds at her front door. She was known for her "basic dip," which she made anytime she was invited to a dinner, a party, or just a visit. She enjoyed the fellowship of family and friends, and when Teresa came over, she brought dip. Always. Teresa was preceded in death by her mother and father; her brother, Wilson; her husband of 39 years, Paul; and her grandson, Benjamin Sterling. She is survived by her two daughters, Jo-Ann Sinnett Sterling of Fairfax and Patricia S. (Donald) Scott of Herndon; three grandchildren, Kendra Teresa (Richard) Simpson of Haymarket; Greggory Paul Scott of Alexandria; MaryAnn Sterling of Strasburg; great-grandson, Gavin Raymond Simpson; several beloved nieces and nephews, and many dear friends.