Owner of Iconic Circle Dot Drive-In, Teresa Jean Mich, Passed Away Peacefully

MONROE, CT — Teresa Jean Mich passed away peacefully in her home on Friday, December 23, 2016, surrounded by her loving and devoted family. Born on February 19, 1932, Terry was the daughter of the late Salvatore and Anna Musone.

A graduate of Central High School, she worked in retail until she met and married her one and only true love George. Together they owned and operated The Circle Dot Drive-In from 1974 until their retirement in 1999. Originally built by George's parents in 1954, the Circle Dot was the first restaurant in Stepney and a local gathering spot of sorts. At the Circle Dot people came to not only enjoy the best hot dog in town but also established life long friendships with Terry and the other "regulars" as they enjoyed their bottomless cups of coffee. Some of their regular patrons continue to meet "for coffee" today.

After taking loving care of George until his death in 2006, Terry moved in with her daughter Cindy and her family where she resided until her death. During this time she volunteered in the café at Masonicare in Newtown, and also enjoyed many activities with both the Monroe and Newtown Senior Centers. One of her favorite pastimes was bargain hunting at the mall, and you could set your clock based on her weekly wash-and-set appointments with her resident hairstylist and daughter, Susan. She was also fortunate to have the help of her daughter Terri's husband, Bob, who drove her to many appointments when she was unable to drive herself. Terry took utmost pride in the family she and George built together.

Her most treasured role was that of "Grammy" to her 7 grandchildren as well as to her great granddaughter Stella. Terry spent countless hours with her grandchildren, telling them stories of her youth, cooking them delicious meals, playing games, listening to their secrets, giving them advice and being the star of their videos. With her granddaughter Jillian, Terry even became a sensation on social media, racking up over 32 million views from all over the world! Because of this, she brought joy to so many that were able to get a small glimpse into the love and good times she shared with her family.

In addition to her husband and parents, Terry was pre-deceased by her sister Lucille Mase. She leaves three daughters and their husbands, Terri and Robert Purciello of Monroe, Susan and Richard Meyer of Woodbury, and Cindy and Joseph Cervini, also of Monroe, in addition to her grandchildren Angela and Alena Purciello, Sara Feola and her husband Lance, Julie Meyer, and Zakk, Tyler and Jillian Cervini as well as her great-grandaughter Stella Feola. She is also survived by sister and brother-in-law Sally and Harold Novak. We know she is dancing to Blue Velvet in Heaven with Grandad right now. We were all very blessed to have had someone in our lives that makes saying goodbye so hard, and will forever cherish her memory.

A celebration of Terry's life will take place with a Memorial Mass on Saturday, December 31, 2016 at 11am in St. Stephens Church, 6948 Main Street, Trumbull. Interment will be at the convenience of the family. There will be no visiting hours. The Spadaccino and Leo P. Gallagher & Son Community Funeral Home has been entrusted with arrangements. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations in Teresa's memory be made to the Lebo DeSantie Center for Liver and Pancreatic Disease through Swim Across the Sound, 2800 Main Street, Bridgeport, CT, 06606, or at www.swimacrossthesound.org. Online condolences may be made by visiting www.spadaccinofuneralhome.com.