Theresa Mary Howard

Theresa was predeceased by her beloved son Timm Howard.

She is survived by her loving children, Kelly Howard and his wife Tracy, Erin Strom, and Shannon and her husband Michael Ramsey as well as her cherished grandchildren, Cullen, Jacob, Robert, Connor, Emily and Cian. She is also survived by her brother Daniel Loder and his wife Judy, and her sister Veronica Wega and her husband Chuck.

Terri, as her friends called her, was an amazing woman. As a single mother of four children, she worked full-time while earning both her Bachelors degree from Stockton University and a Master of Social Work degree from Rutgers University. She went on to work for NJ Governor James Florio and became the first woman to become the Assistant Commissioner of the Department of Corrections in New Jersey.

Terri was a champion to people. A proud liberal, she enjoyed intelligent debates about life, politics, and the less fortunate. Even as a teenager and young woman, she wouldargue with aunts, uncles, cousins and even her conservative Irish grandma about civil rights, the Vietnam war and how people of color were mistreated.

But she did more than just talk – she took action. Terri helped found the Barnegat Library, serving on the original Board of Trustees. She ran for the Barnegat Board of Education, losing by just one vote. But Terri remained engaged, submitting a design that she found which became the Cecil S. Collins School.

She started support groups for gays and lesbians while at Stockton University, coached girls soccer despite not having played herself, and was a therapist dedicated to improving the lives of her patients. Terri raced to the store to purchase a computer to begin experimenting with this new technology called the Internet in the early 1990s. That led to travels to England to meet new friends, share ideas, experience other cultures, learn about people, laugh, cry and positively impact even more lives.

What is remembered most about Terri is her belief in people and their ability to be good – and even great. She embodied those traits herself.

Visitation will be at the Thos L. Shinn Funeral Home, 10 Hilliard Dr., Manahawkin, NJ on Tuesday, May 28thfrom 6:00pm-8:00pm and on Wednesday, May 29thfrom 10:00am-11:00am with a Funeral Home Service at 11:00am. Interment will follow at St. Mary’s Cemetery, Beachview Ave, Manahawkin.

To leave online condolences for the family, please visit www.shinnfuneralhome.com