Theonista C. Kepka

Theonista Celeste Kepka, lovingly known as "Theo", a long-time resident of Nashua, NH, passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, October 12, 2018. She was 83.

Theo was born in Malden, MA, as Theonista Fleming on September 14, 1935. She was the daughter of the late Daniel G. Fleming Sr. and Marjorie M. (Coakley) Fleming.

Theo graduated from Girls Catholic High School in Malden, MA. From there she attended nurses training at Mass General before moving to New York City to work for Eastern Airlines in the Meteorology Department. It was there she met her beloved husband of more than 44 years, Edward J. Kepka.

After their marriage Theo was a stay at home housewife and mother for 15 years. When her youngest child started attending school full-time, Theo returned to the workforce with the IRS. She held several positions there before retiring with more than 20 years of service. Her two most notable positions were as an Auditor and as a Taxpayer Service Representative. During her time at the IRS she received high honors to include multiple Certificates of Achievement and Special Act Awards. She was a local hero known by many for her comprehensive knowledge and understanding of tax law and for her tireless and generous help to all who sought her expertise.

She had numerous interests, including reading, knitting and Broadway Musicals but her most loved past time was tracing her family tree. With pride she boasted that she was one of six children all of whom provided her parents with 28 grandchildren, 48 great-grandchildren, 58 great-great-grandchildren and 1 triple great grandchild. She was pleased to claim her heritage with this legacy.

Theo was predeceased, and dearly loved by her husband, Edward J. Kepka, Sr., her brothers, Frederick Fleming and Daniel Fleming, Jr. and her sister Bernice "Bunny" (Fleming) Owens.

Theo was the mother of 5, grandmother of 7 and great-grandmother of 7 in addition to numerous step grandchildren and great-grandchildren. She is survived and lovingly remembered by her son and daughter-in-law John and Teresa (Jimenez) Fleming of Tallahassee, FL, her daughter and son-in-law Midge (Kepka) and Ed Witt of Hatton, AL, her daughter Pamela (Kepka) Alman of Nashua, NH, her son Edward Kepka, Jr., of Southern California, her daughter Thea Kepka with her partner Thomas Cohen of Amherst and New Boston, NH, two sisters, Patricia (Fleming) MacIsaac of Rancho Bernardo, CA, and Alice (Fleming) Harrington of Billerica, MA, 7 grandsons Joey, Phillip and Carl Womack; Patrick and Sean Alman; Nicholas Kepka Calvetti; and Ryan Fleming along with their families. She also leaves behind a few special godchildren, treasured nieces and nephews, and cherished friends, all of whom she loved dearly.