June 2, 1925 - September 13, 2020
Theresa (Tess) passed away in Nanaimo on Sunday, September 13, 2020, after a short illness. She was 95 years young.
Theresa was born June 2, 1925, in Zenon Park, Saskatchewan, the sixth of nine children of Herve and Rose Foucher. She married Alfred in 1947, settling in Duncan, BC. She raised five adopted children while supporting Alfred's businesses. Later in life she became a travel agent, fulfilling her dream of seeing the world. Theresa and Alfred moved to Nanaimo to retire.
She had the utmost devotion to her family. When her children or grandchildren needed her, she was consistently there to help, even raising great-grandchildren in her 70's. She willingly put the needs of others before her own. She loved her grandchildren dearly and delighted in keeping up with the activities of her great-grandchildren.
While Theresa was generous with her time to help family and friends, she rarely asked for help herself. She brushed off ailments, aches, and pains as trivial, not wanting to bother anyone. She was selfless, strong, and optimistic.
Theresa had an independent streak and a zest for life. When Alfred ran a motorcycle shop and her kids had motorcycles, she bought one too. Breaking both her arms while tubing on a lake didn't seem to slow her down. She took her kids camping on her own, she traveled alone, and she never shied away from challenges, always meeting them with a feisty determination.
She never seemed to age. As she grew older, she remained open to new challenges and relationships. She did so with radiating contentment that seemed to smooth wrinkles and keep her gray away. She never looked her age, likely because she didn't feel her age. She chose not to be "old".
She kept that youthful energy right into her 90's, remaining active in her community. She met many friends through the Nanaimo Lawn Bowling Club. Her faith was a very important aspect of her life.
She shone with warmth and gentleness that allowed her to find close companionship with the kindest people who brought out the best in her. She shared the last years of her life with two special people: Erwin Sivertsen, and then Jerry Frank. Her positive outlook and her unfailing ability to find the good in every situation was inspiring to all who knew her.
Theresa will be missed by her son Denis (Elaine), her daughter Patricia, her sons Peter (Betty) and Richard (Candace), nine grandchildren: Dana, Andrea, Graham, Laura, Matthew, Kayla, Cameron, Nicholas, and Hali. She loved her eight great-grandchildren: Christina, Stephen, Matthew, Alexa, Halle, Ethan, Evelyn and Zainah. She is also survived by her sister Irene of Longueuil, Quebec. She was predeceased by Alfred in 1994 and by her daughter Sharon (Sheri) in 2018.
No service, by request. There will be a family graveside service with interment at Cedar Valley Memorial Gardens at a later date.