Teresa McCarthy Brusa, 95, of Cazenovia, New York, passed away peacefully on May 16, 2026.

Teresa was born on February 10, 1931, in Utica, New York. She was the youngest of seven children born to John and Agnes McSweeney. Her father passed away when she was just four months old, and her mother and six siblings moved to Syracuse to be closer to relatives.

Teresa was a lifelong worker whose career began at the age of 12, when she and her friend Gert spent weekends washing dishes at the Good Shepherd Hospital for 37.5 cents an hour. When Teresa was 16, her mother passed away. At that time she was working part-time in an administrative position after school and continued in that role until she graduated from St. Lucy’s High School. After graduation, she attended business school, and upon completing her studies, obtained a full-time position in the accounting department of Niagara Mohawk. She worked there until 1955, when she married her first husband, James P. McCarthy. They had five children together. After her second child was born, Teresa took a part-time position conducting consumer surveys. When her boss retired in 1962, he asked Teresa to take the helm — and it was at that moment that Teresa established McCarthy Associates. Over the next 40-plus years, she grew the business into a national marketing research firm, joined in 1979 by her son John, who helped her expand its reach and reputation.

Never one to back away from a challenge, Teresa also entered public life following the death of her first husband in 1982. She stepped into his role as 4th District Common Councilor for the City of Syracuse to complete his tenure, then ran for Councilor at Large and served four years in that position. During this time, Teresa spearheaded the establishment of the City of Syracuse Homeless Committee, bringing together many different agencies to collaborate on better serving those in need.

After retiring from McCarthy Associates, Teresa married her second husband, John Brusa, in 1996 — and with that union, the McCarthy-Brusa family was born. Teresa loved hosting family for dinners, picnics, and holidays, and she cherished above all else the time spent with her grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

Teresa had a deep and abiding devotion to Christ and was a devout Catholic. She and her second husband served on many church committees and participated in numerous prayer groups. When John passed in 2019, Teresa continued her journey of faith without wavering — there was never a day that went by when she did not acknowledge her love of Jesus Christ. She was a wonderful mother, grandmother, aunt, and a cherished friend to many.

Teresa is predeceased by her husbands, James P. McCarthy and John Brusa; her son James McCarthy; her daughter Laura McCarthy Fried; and her six siblings: John McSweeney, Benjamin McSweeney, Joseph McSweeney, James McSweeney, Clarissa Carpenter, and Rita Connelly.

She is survived by her children and stepchildren: John (Doreen) McCarthy, Kitty (Bob) Cowan, Maureen (Rick) Colson, Rose (Tom) Morgan, Maria (Rick) Lee, Patrick (Cheryl) Brusa, Elizabeth Brusa, John (Joanne) Brusa, Joe (Jackie) Brusa, and Elena (Mike) Sewall.

She is further survived by her grandchildren: Jim (Jessica) McCarthy, Sarah (Andrew) Talucci, Kelly Cowan, Christie Colson, Mary Kate Lee, Megan (Eric Metz) Lee, Alex (Kat) Lee, Angela (Matthew) Scheirer, Margaret (Jay) Dietz, Abigail (Sean) Falconer, Jessica Brusa (Victor Hernandez), Nathan (Kelly) Brusa, Alison Brusa, Nicole Brusa, Father John Brusa, Tim Brusa, Maria Brusa, AJ Brusa, Katie Brusa, Victoria Salvaterra, Andrew Salvaterra, Erin (Jason) Sperry, Amanda Morgan, Samantha Morgan, Nick (Ali) Brusa, Dave (Elizabeth) Brusa, Michael Brusa, and Chris Brusa; and 23 great-grandchildren: Nora, Talia, August, Bernadette, Abel, Sophia, Arthur, Carmen, Rocco, Claire, Hannah, Myles, George, Maggie, Evelyn, Theodore, William, Aria, Calvin, Leah, Theresa Frances, Josie, and Will.

Teresa is a hard act to follow. For all the love she gave to others, for her unwavering faith in God, she is enjoying eternal life and joy in heaven. We already miss her.

Calling Hours will be held from 3 to 6pm on Friday, May 22, 2026 at the Edward J. Ryan Funeral Home, 3180 Bellevue Ave, Syracuse, New York 13219. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026 at 9am at Holy Family Church, 127 Chapel Drive, Syracuse, New York 13219. Graveside Ceremony St. Agnes Cemetery A luncheon for family and friends will follow.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to Joseph’s House for Women, Syracuse, NY.