few words on their behalf and I accepted with honour!

What do I know about Auntie Theresa? Hard working, fun loving, could rock a pair of stiletto’s like

nobody’s business, and the FOOD!.. Not a boxing day event to ever be missed! I have to tell you, thank

God the traditions have been passed down to her girls, who have taken the honours of creating the

scrumptious feast themselves. I’m sure that Auntie Theresa’s door will continue to always be open for

great food made with love and wonderful people who love her. Auntie Theresa, *look up* don’t worry

I’l bring the ham!!

The most important thing I know about Theresa is her love for her family.

Family is the epitome of what Theresa embodied. It is everything that she strived for. She believed that

with love, support and guidance we, as a family, could conquer what ever life throws our way. Theresa

was the core leader of her family unit. Whether you called her Wife, Mother, Grandmother, Friend she

always tried to create a lifetime of memories, personify a lifetime of strength and ensure a lifetime of

unconditional love. Theresa was someone you could confide in, someone whose touch brought

tranquility to those who let her, someone that could show you the time of your life, someone who could

bring he** down upon you... But, overall she was someone whose love never altered. Through the good

times and the bad she always kept us all together.

I cannot explain to you how many lives she has touched. Theresa was a very vibrant woman who had a

passion for life and nature. Theresa had such a kind soul, not only towards her family, but towards

anyone she came across. She was always willing to lend a helping hand, share her two cents or crack

her witty humour. There are so many reasons to fall in love with who Theresa, as many of you here

today have. Most importantly, Theresa stood proudly beside her loving husband Richard for 39 years.

Although a rocky a start, their relationship is one to aspire too. Strong love, constant dancing, heated

arguments with beneficial endings...but most of all they embodied undying commitment to each other.

But remember Rick, what Mamma says goes!

Theresa began raising two beautiful daughters, it was not until Richard came into their lives that their

family unit felt complete. I cannot express to you how proud Theresa was of her two girls, Lorie and

Kathy. Theresa helped to raise two very independent, smart, family oriented daughters who have grown

to raise their own families with the same values in mind. Theresa took peace with her knowing that her

girls have found loving partners to create such beautiful families with.

Theresa was not only proud of her husband and daughters but she was also over the moon about her

two grandchildren, Courtney and Ryan. You would find her at the kitchen table playing cards for all

hours of the day with Courtney. Deep in conversation about life, family, and stupid boys. You’d often

hear some swearing or a chant that she kicked Mere’s butt. Their relationship strong in love and in

friendship. You’d only find Theresa during the Summer at camp with her grandson Ryan. Wether they

were strapping on their hats to go out blueberry picking or revving up the golf cart to go for a spin

around the grounds. Ryan always had Mere in tears laughing so hard at his silly jokes. Theresa was

always proud of her grandson and had so much love for him.

One other thing I know about my Auntie Theresa is that she is tough. Man oh man she is one tough

lady!!

Theresa became very ill for many years. She had so much determination and strong will that enabled

her to fight for so long. Despite the odds Theresa was able to conquer her illness longer than any doctor

could imagine. Can you say tough?

Theresa’s family surrounded her in her final stages of life. They provided her with so much love,

support and memories as she fought hard, so much harder than anyone had ever anticipated. We had

many laughs that left us with a lifetime full of memories. None of us ever will ever forget the first

season of the Waltons... on repeat every single night! We did get to enjoy the vocal stylings of Richard

singing the Last Kiss and Kathy singing You are My Sunshine. I will say, you could hear those Beeges

playing from a mile away!! Theresa sure did love her Beeges and Shania Twain! No matter how

unmanageable her illness was Theresa always had those dancing feet going. Theresa’s final moments

were peaceful knowing that her family will be able to move forward carrying her in their hearts for the

rest of their lives.

So, we remember her in our hearts for the rest of our days. We wish her peace in her next journey. We

will always love you and miss you dearly.