Theresa Catherine Vriens

It is with deep sadness that the family of Theresa Catherine Vriens (nee Schulmeister), a beautiful soul with the kindest heart passed away, surrounded by family on September 25, 2026 at the Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre (9Y Palliative Care) at the age of 80.

For the past 3 1/2 years since her diagnosis of pancreatic cancer and while undergoing other health challenges/treatments, she continued to demonstrate tremendous courage, perseverance, and everlasting love for her family, daycare colleagues, friends, and others whose lives she had touched during her lifetime.

Theresa was born on November 8, 1945 in Consort Alberta to Barbara and Leo Schulmeister and was baptized and raised in the Catholic faith of her parents. She was the eldest of eleven children, a beautiful little red-headed girl whose first language initially was German which was spoken at home, until she started grade one where she learned to speak English. Later her parents, and in the meantime some of her other siblings that were born, moved to a farm near the town of Castor Alberta, and it was there Theresa developed that true farm girl grit of being hard working and assisting her mother and father with many daily chores, including helping to care for her younger siblings, who at times could be a handful, especially her brothers !

While growing up on the farm for 18 years and later graduating from grade 12 at Theresetta Catholic School in Castor she then was employed at Our Lady of the Rosary Hospital and worked there in the operating and delivery rooms, assisting the doctors and nurses, even though she had no formal nursing training at that time in her early life. It was very much evident then that a nursing career was her calling. After working in the hospital for two years, her sister Betty in the meantime finished high school and both sisters then moved to Edmonton to take the Licenced Practical Nurse (LPN) training program which both completed successfully. Both sisters subsequently were hired to work at the Edmonton General Hospital and it is where Theresa met a young handsome Nursing Orderly, the love of her life and future husband Bert Vriens who she married on April 12, 1969, and this past April they celebrate their 57th wedding anniversary.

From Theresa and Bert’s union two sons were born, Allan in 1970 and Daryl in 1972 which for them at that time was one of great joy but also as young parents, a most difficult time, as both sons were handicapped and developmentally delayed. It therefore became necessary for Theresa to stay at home to care for and nurture her two sons while also continuing to support Bert in his further career advancement in healthcare, which she continued to do for more than 40 years. During the period of looking after her two young sons she opened her heart and home as a licensed Day Home provider for 15 years and also cared for and loved many young children brought and entrusted to her care by their parents.

When Allan and Daryl were in their late teens Theresa and Bert upon the advice of their social worker and in looking ahead to the future, made a very difficult decision and in 1989 purchased and established a group home for both their sons and had another handicapped boy join them and be cared for by the staff of a provincial funded service provider. Both Theresa and Bert have continued to support and love the three boys in making sure as their mom and dad to always have them being an important part of their families and lives. After the successful establishment of the group home Theresa was employed as a childcare worker at Peter Pan Day Care in Millbourne Mall where her love of caring for children continued for more than 30 years until she finally retired there as Assistant Director in June 2019 at age 74.

In their life together Theresa and Bert were proud of the love, care, and support they shared with and also received from both their families over the years. They also enjoyed the many travels to Holland, and trips to the farm in Castor with their two sons, and also the seven cruises which were to Alaska, the Caribbean, the Northern European Baltic countries including St. Petersburg in Russia, the Mexican Rivieras, the Maritimes to New England including NYC, and finally in 2019 the Mediterranean Rivieras, which included Rome, Florence and Barcelona. During the final cruise Theresa experienced great delight when she encountered the sanctuary of small apes on the cliffs of Gibraltar. Aother highlight among many of their travels was celebrating their 30th wedding anniversary in 1999 in Paris.

Theresa and Bert had a strong Catholic faith throughout their marriage and attended St. Theresa’s Church for more than 40 years and later attended the Corpus Christi Church until the final months of her life.

Theresa was predeceased by her father Leo (1995) her mother Barbara (2004), sister Marie (2025), brother Dennis (2018), and her youngest sister Diane (2017).

Theresa is survived by her loving husband of 57 years Bert, sons Allan and Daryl and their group home “son” Michael, siblings Betty (Alvin) Johnson, Tony (Vicki) Schulmeister, Ted (Marg) Schulmeister, Rose Marie (Bruce) Schulmeister, Stan (Lorie) Schulmeister, Rita Schulmeister, Ed (Darcy) Schulmeister. Brothers-in-laws Bob Booth and Scott Walker, as well as numerous nieces and nephews and many people that loved and cherished a beautiful and caring person who we will always remember for the the gift of her life.

As she rests in peace in the shelter of the arms of our dear Lord and God we know that her memory will live in our hearts and minds forever and she will be profoundly missed, but her love for all of us will continue to be an eternal blessing.

The family is grateful for the compassionate care Theresa received from Dr. Julie Price Hiller and the staff at the Cross Cancer Institute, Dr. Fozia Zakaria her Family Physician,

Palliative Home Care Services, and Covenant Health Edmonton General Continuing Care Centre (9Y).

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to the Cross Cancer Institute, Alberta Cancer Foundation, Good Samaritan Society PPDD, or Elves Adult Program.