My family and I grieve the loss of such a remarkable person and we take this time to honor and remember the amazing impact she had on our lives.  Teresa was a dear neighbor, friend and the resident “Scottish Hills grandma” to my 2 girls.  We adored her stories of growing up in NYC, the love she had for her family and the pride she took in her work and later caring for her home and yard. We admired her positive outlook on life, we loved the sparkle in her eye and the warmth of her smile.   We were grateful to have been able to celebrate her 90th birthday with family and friends and cherish that memory.   Just as meaningful however, were the times we stopped to say hello as she worked in her yard, playing a game of Rummikub  or the many times when she attended the annual block party and treated us to her delicious rice and beans.  Teresa was the heart of our small neighborhood,  having her in our lives made us into a family of homes, not just houses.  We are a stronger community because of her and she lives on in rich spirit in all our hearts.  

Yesterday my dear friend Teresa was laid to rest with her husband. As I sit on my porch I can see the home she loved so much and where I hold so many memories close to my heart. I hold her heart in my heart as I go forward in my life. We played many different games, shared many meals and had many long conversations. We shared laughter and tears. I was blessed to have her as a friend and neighbor.  

I have been thinking for a few days now about what to write about grandma. She was someone who was always there. Like a tree that had survived the most harrowing of storms and yet still stood strong and tall, ready to bloom to life again. 

I looked up to her as a career women in accounting, (Which at the time was primarily a male dominated field) well before it was common for women to work. She helped pave the way for future generations of women.

She was born at the beginning of the great depression. She had grown up seeing and enduring its hardships, as well as the greatness, we as society can create when we work together. She survived the early loss of her husband, the loss of a child (Carmen) and the hardships of World War 2. Yet she always seemed generally happy.  She saw humankind evolve from the inventions of the computer, the internet and cell phones that completely change our world. 

While often blunt, she was kind, wise and thoughtful. Before I had kids taking up most of my time, I used to stop by to see her. We would drink coffee, eat some kind of sweets and play Chinese checkers. She would regale me with stories of her past, books she read and never failed to go into extreme detail about something special she had cooked that week. 

The last time I saw her was the Thursday before she pasted. On that day, she was awake and was thankfully still the grandma we all knew and loved. We laughed at the ridiculous special on ABC all about water. They had a water tasting of a new brand of water and one of anchors was being over the top swishing it around in this mouth like it was a fine wine. It was quite funny. I am glad that I had that time with her to say goodbye.


Great picture of Chet with Teresa to celebrate a belated birthday last year.  Both Chet and I will  miss our dear neighbor Teresa so much! She blessed our lives in so many ways and we learned so much from her.   I will never forget her smile  or her spirit.  And it will always make me smile to think about her love of good food (along with her detailed descriptions of the food) , her love of working in the yard and her love of playing games. We absolutely loved playing games with Teresa!  Chet lovingly nicknamed her “Hammer” because she was a rule follower and would call you out if she felt like you were not playing games by the rules. 😀 For these reasons and so many more, Teresa will forever live in our hearts!

I am Teresa's neighbor Qu. When I moved to 1200 Gatehouse Cary in 2014, Teresa was very friendly to me and shared stories about the previous owners of 1200 Gatehouse. Teresa loves working in her back yard, she told me she prefers to live in the house and work at yard instead of live in "old people's home". This picture was taken at 20Mar2020, US was threaten by COVID, I took this picture to  show my friends that how strong American Women are! Teresa is my role model, she showed me how to live life gracefully even to be 90 years old. 

Terry and I are with each of you these days as you mourn the death and grieve the absence of one you know as mother,grandmother sister, aunt, mother-in-law, cousin, family, neighbor, friend.  To me Teresa’s ready smile and bright full personality will forever be a treasure. 
Someone said, “ Death is not extinguishing the light, but turning off the lamp because the dawn has come.”   Oh how her whole being beams with even richer happiness!
As we remember Teresa whom we all love and miss, let us celebrate her lived goodness.   Peace, dear friends.

Mom's 90th Birthday party.  Born on the 4th of July.  Had party at her house, she had more room and so that all her friends in the neighborhood could attend.  She had a good time.

Very sorry for your loss. Thinking of you all and love you all! 

Betty and Dennis,

We are very sorry for your loss.  We are thinking of both of you and sending caring thoughts your way to support you through this.

We love you both,

Pop and June

OBITUARY

Teresa Gonzalez

4 July, 1929 – 24 April, 2023

Brown-Wynne Funeral Home

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