Teresa Ann Metcalf (Nee McKenna), 74, of Oakwood, Ohio, passed away February 2, 2023, after a brief stay in the hospital.
A celebration of life will be held Tuesday February 7 at Lockwood Community Church in Coldwater, Michigan.
The family will receive friends and visitors for a viewing 11:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. with the memorial services beginning at 5:00 p.m.
Arrangements are being handled by Dutcher Funeral Home, Coldwater.
Teresa (Terri) was born October 14, 1948 in Roanoke, VA to the late Dorothy (Nicely) and Edmund Thomas McKenna, Sr. she was the second of nine children. In 1953 she moved with her family to Washington, DC where she attended Catholic schools from elementary through college.
Teresa excelled in school and received top grades, despite spending very little time studying. Teresa often competed with her siblings playing games. She was especially good at ping pong, even winning her high school championship.
In 1969 she graduated from Trinity College (Washington, DC) with a degree in nursing. Following in her mother’s footsteps, Teresa was accepted into an Army nursing program at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in DC. She completed her officer training at Fort Polk, LA and was stationed in Fort Ord, CA where she completed her service time in the Army Reserves.
After her military service, Teresa moved to Monterey, CA where she worked as a private nurse and an Amway distributor. Teresa met her late husband, Michael Metcalf, where it was love at first sight. They were married shortly thereafter on May 4, 1979.
As a military family, they were stationed in Fort Knox, KY, Germany, Wright Patterson AFB, Fort Benning, GA, and finally, Toledo, OH. As a military wife, Teresa took care of the home while also homeschooling her four children. She and Michael were proud of each of their children as they pursued their careers and were all happily married.
Always an active member of her church community, Terri was generous with her time in helping others. She was perhaps known best for her inventive culinary skills. Terri could make a delicious meal from almost any ingredients on hand. She made her own breads, baked goods, and soups of every variety. The family often enjoyed her CORD soup (Clean Out Refrigerator Day).
Life changed dramatically for Teresa in July of 2017 when she suffered a stroke and 3 weeks later, lost the love of her life – her husband Michael. Through sheer grit and determination, Teresa pressed herself super hard and learned to walk, talk and read again.
Despite multiple setbacks from ongoing seizures, surgeries, and other health issues, she never quit. Her persistence paid off in that she was eventually able to read the Bible and to have longer phone conversations with her family and friends. Throughout her struggles, Teresa never questioned her faith. In the most difficult of times, she would just smile and say, “God is good.”
Grandma Terri greatly loved and enjoyed time spent with her 11 grandchildren. Though loud noises made it difficult for her to understand conversations, she always welcomed her grandchildren along with any commotion or distractions that children bring.
Terri is survived by her four children: Jennifer LeMaster (Brian), Christopher Metcalf (Alehandra), Jessica Crots (Eric), and Jonathan Metcalf (Joanna); her 11 grandchildren: Chad, Trinidy, Zach, Bryanna, Tessa, Wesley, Kendra, Leah, Reuben, Ethan, and Charlotte; and Teresa’s eight siblings: Ed McKenna (Kara), Bill McKenna (Wanda), Janie McKenna (Christopher), Jim McKenna (Francie), Dottie Kozak (George), Peggy Wenneman (Don), Joan Austin (Terry) and Jeannie Raymond (Tom).
Teresa will be interred next to her late husband, Michael in a private ceremony for her family at Toledo Memorial Park in Sylvania, OH on February 8, 2023.
Comments