Theodora “Teddy” Brust

Theodora (Teddy) Brust (nee Collias), age 101, was born in Fort Wayne, Indiana, September 18, 1921 and passed away peacefully on June 13th, 2023 at the Retirement Home at St John’s on the Lake, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

She is survived by her sons Victor (Ann) Brust, Estero, Florida and George (Georgia) Brust, Chicago, Illinois, her cousin Nick Liapes and by many nephews and nieces.

She is predeceased in death by her husband, the love of her life, George Brust Sr, her darling son Michael Brust, by her parents, George and Georgia Collias, her sister Suzanne Collias, brothers John (Lily) Collias, Nick Collias, Peter (Nan) Collias and by cousins; Steve Liapes, Jim (Angie) Liapes, Kate Liapes, Suzanne (Perry) Bornstein and Georgianne Lambros.

Teddy lived a long, beautiful, and dignified life, she was fiercely independent and private. A discerning woman of class, elegance, beauty with exquisite taste, she valued loyalty, authenticity, and simplicity. She dedicated her life to being a devoted mother and the foundation of her family. Loved her sons more than her own life and raised them alone, ranging in age from three years old, to the oldest being six years old. She was passionate and supportive of their education, sporting activities and never missed any of their sporting events. At games she was a known mother who challenged the referee, that she believed had made unfair calls on her much loved sons. She will be dearly missed, forever loved and her spirit will remain close to our heart.

She graduated from Indiana University where she studied Music and Marketing. She worked in Retail Sales for the better part of her life, was an avid reader and volunteered for Charitable Organizations in Milwaukee. She was an incredible piano player and could play any type of music by ear and without the use of music notes, especially classical music her favorite. She was a fantastic cook, and loved to bake and to garden. She always knew the right thing to say regardless of the situation and never missed family or close friends’ birthdays.

She was a devoted Christian, a member and supporter of the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church. She was also a member of and supported the Boys & Girls Club in Milwaukee, The Wisconsin Humane Society of Milwaukee, The Salvation Army of Milwaukee, the Red Cross, the Cancer Society, the AHEPA and the Daughters of Penelope, both Greek Charity Organizations.

Theodora’s children would like to thank Mom’s much loved neighbors in Shorewood; Susie and Tom, Kenny, Mary and Ty, all of which treated her like a family member and helped her in her later years in Shorewood, her favorite nephew George and his wife Paulette who visited her at St Johns and gave her many rides to KOPP’s for her favorite ice cream. And last, but not least, the amazing staff at St John’s on the Lake who cared for her with compassion and love during the last few years of her life.

Per Mom’s request her children ask that in lieu of flowers, donations in her memory are made to the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.

Visitation will be held at the Annunciation Greek Orthodox Church, Wauwatosa, Wisconsin on June 20th, 2023, 10:00 AM – 11:00 AM, followed by a funeral service. Entombment will be at Wisconsin Memorial Park, Brookfield, Wisconsin, following the funeral service.

To send flowers to the family or place a tree in memory of Theodora "Teddy" Brust, please visit our Tribute Store.