“There Are No Words.”
How many times have we all heard that in the past week?
It’s true.  There are no words…none.
Except, perhaps, there are 2 words...
“Watering Can”
If you look up the words "watering can" in the dictionary
It mentions a vessel for giving a critical substance to maintain growth & development…
Water
It also mentions that it can take many different forms, be different shapes and sizes and
be made of many different substances.
It can have a spout, a sprinkle head,… it can even be a simple bucket
It can be made of metal, plastic or cast in ceramic 
But whatever the makeup is, it brings life to plants, gardens, herbs & flowers.
The “watering can” has taken on new meaning in my world.
Hearing Ron’s story about Theresa and seeing the watering can in their backyard outdoor sink after the funeral...
Seeing a watering can will never be the same.
Theresa was a vessel of life for so many….a “watering can” of sorts…..
Whether it was through her smile, her home cooked meals, 
Her cookies, her banana breads, her Irish Soda bread, her phone calls, her visits to her mom, her cards with notes, her hugs, 
her making you feel welcome in her home……
…I could go on…….and on.
From where I stand, what I have seen, is that Theresa was watering the life of Everyone she knew with a little something….
Sometimes a sprinkle…and sometimes a good pour….if and when you needed it.
No two family members or friend got the same “water” from her… 
She tailored her sprinkle of “water” on everyone she could…simply to make their life a little better…..
When her watering can was empty, she would rest, re-group, work to fill it up again, 
And share the next version of her bountiful “water” when you crossed paths again.

-My mom liked to make folders with items she saved for us- copies of magazines articles, notes, coloring pages- pretty much anything that meant something to her that she wanted us to have. 

Maybe a month or so ago, she gave me this folder. I laughed and said “another one?” but took it home and went through it one night. I always made sure to go through everything knowing she took the time to save it and so I wanted to take the time to read each thing. 

In this most recent folder, was this reading here. It’s from the Town Crier from May of 1996. It is a bit long but it is important to me for you to hear the whole thing.

“The Meanest Mother In The World”

I could never and would never describe my mother as “mean”. She was nothing short of amazing. Who I am is all because of her. The daughter I am is because of her. The sister I am is because of her. The fiancee, granddaughter, niece, cousin, and aunt I am is because of her. She taught me how to take on those roles with a strength that only she had. 

While everything just feels like it is going to change now, I know at the same time it won’t- because that’s what she taught us. The pumpkin breads and cookies will still be baked. The house will still be decorated, the snacks will still be packed for our trips to Shawnee, the garden will still grow, and so many other wonderful things she did for all of us. That’s what she taught us. 

So, it might not feel like it right now for us but we got this, Mom. For you, we will do it all.

One week. One week without hearing your laugh. Without sharing any updates or pictures of the boys. Without one of your hugs. And damn, it felt like those hugs could cure all. 
My mom, she was the best. I don’t believe words can truly describe her as a mother, grandmother, sister, daughter, wife. But this poem, “When God Created Mom’s” (pictured below) paints a pretty good picture of what God was thinking when he created my mom. 
This poem was everything she was in raising my sisters and I. It is what she led with when she became a grandmother.
I like to believe we are an extension of her. You can see it in our smiles, our laughs, within our homes, the many pumpkin breads and home cooked meals and in the way we plan and care for our families. 
She made the world feel safe for me. It feels scary and filled with uncertainty now. I feel this heaviness in my chest and like my body can’t quite take a deep breath. 
Although I feel lost right now, I know she gave us all she had and all we needed to be good people and raise good babies. I hate that we have to do it without her but I find comfort in knowing she prepared us for this. We are capable and we are strong, because of my mom. 
“So much of me is made of what I learned from you. You’ll be with me like a handprint on my heart” 
Love you more, Mom💛

They grow hearts big over on Elmwood Road.
Born and raised there, the daughter of Pat and Virginia, the older sister of PJ and Phil. And what a proud big sister she was.

She was a West Babylon girl, through and through. Teams, clubs, and Blue and Gold - the true highlight of her high school memories.

She was a working woman - TSS, Brunswick, P&P, and the West Babylon Junior High School  Library - where she checked out, shelved, and repaired books, and hopefully, didn’t scare too many students away from reading. 

She was a gardener (told us playing in the dirt is good for your lungs), an Amazon and Kohl’s shopper, a “steals and deals” enthusiast, a dancer in the kitchen, a lover of the sun on her skin and sand between her toes - And a baker of the best apple crumb pie and pumpkin bread you’ll ever taste. 

Above all, she was the love of my father’s life for 43 years and the most wonderful “girl mom” to my sisters and I.

If she could do something for you, she would. And you probably didn’t even know you needed it done. She loved unconditionally and gave generously.

✨ My mom was magic, just pure magic. ✨
She made our lives and the lives of all those around her simply sparkle. 

We promise our boys will always know that all of it is because of you. 💙💙💙

We will forever be left with a “Tree” sized hole in our hearts. We’ll be seeing you, Mom. 
“Love you more” ❤️🌻

Dear Ron, "Goebel Girls", and All the Family,
Words cannot fully express our sorrow for the loss of your Theresa and mom.  She was a SPECIAL woman in all ways to all of us.  As we look back at pictures, videos, and text messages, we can see she had all she wanted in life - her family - and she had the best times celebrating your milestones, sipping wine,  cooking, traveling,  going to the beach (anywhere) and babysitting her grandsons.   
Our shared family history and deep friendship connection will survive and go on because we love you and that will honor her.  We are all very sad but we have to have faith, like she did, that she is in heaven today looking out for all of us.  Someday, we will be able to talk about her without crying and get to the laughs and the storytelling.  Until then, we are praying for all of you through this most difficult time.  
RIP our dearest friend, Aunt, and Godmother.  We are so thankful for the many memories and the fun times we shared.  You blessed us with your love and kindness.
Karen, Dan, Brett (Leigh and Brooks), and Shaun (Laura) Ritchey

Dearest Theresa, 
Thank you, my Best Friend, for the times we shared and the many memories we made. 60 Years! Losing a Best Friend is like losing the sibling we chose.  We were sisters.
It's difficult to walk the rest of the road of our friendship alone.  The hardest part will be learning to live without you.  I will miss your amazing smile and your infectious laugh.  Your life was a blessing to me.  Grief is the price we pay for love.  You are loved beyond words and will be deeply missed beyond measure.  
A truly great friend is hard to find, difficult to leave, and impossible to replace.  Theresa, you are irreplaceable.  I will hold you in my heart until we meet again.
Love and Blessings, Karen

Hi, I’m Theresa's husband. I’ll explain in a minute why  I said that.
If you saw my post the other day, you know I said she fulfilled all my childhood dreams. That may sound funny but I want you to really think about that for a minute.
You see, ever since I was a little boy, from my earliest recollections all I ever wanted was to fall in love with a beautiful woman, get married and build a life together with children in a home we made together. Nothing else but that. You see I grew up in the era of Donna Reed, and Leave it to Beaver and romantic comedies with Doris Day and Rock Hudson. Where the homes were always maintained, and the kids always nicely dressed and the families sat down and ate dinner together. So I ask you, “what do you think?” I think I got it all. 
Our home was a castle she put together piece by piece from decorating for every holiday;Christmas, Easter, Halloween, St Patricks Day, and the 4th of July.The pictures, the plants, the little signs with cute little inspirational sayings. Our girls were always impeccably dressed, in pigtails, ponytails and barrettes. I was always dressed nicely, she ironed all our clothes so we would look sharp. We had family dinners 7 nights a week, and there was always fresh fruit in the house no matter the season. And our kitchen became a factory; pumping out Pumpkin Breads in the fall, Cookies at Christmas, Irish Soda Breads for St Patrick's Day and tomatoes for sauce and basil for pesto in the summer. And we laughed, laughed so hard, big belly laughs, the kind where you lose your breath. We traveled, alone, then with the kids, and now again by ourselves. And I’ve told her many times that was my favorite, my absolute favorite, when it was just the two of us, and I had her all to myself. I’ve said many times we had that “old couple from the Titanic movie” kind of love. Yes I am Theresa’s husband. That’s all I ever wanted, past, present, future.

Ron ,  Patricia,  MaryKate,  Alexa , & family 

We are so sorry for your loss 💔
We are away until Tuesday but please know you are all in our thoughts & prayers !
Looking at all of your beautiful photos just confirm how many beautiful memories you all shared together as a big beautiful  , loving family . Knowing your Mom for 20 plus years she always talked so proudly of you all and loved life in general.  Im glad we ran into each other after mass a few weeks ago to catch up.
Our Love & Condolences go out to you all during this very difficult time.
🙏❤️🙏

I am so, so sorry! My heart is breaking for you and your family. Please know that you and your family are in Diana's hearts and prayers. We are hear for you for whatever you need. 

Our love,
Charlie and Diana Seeley

I am SO sorry for your loss.  It has been so long since I've seen Terri, PJ and Mrs. Forcino, but the memories are cherished.  So much of Junior High and High School included special dinners by Mrs. Schnabel and leisure at your house--usually with Karen Schnabel.  And a Junior High School party in your basement, playing with Jeff Busterna and Jimmy Faulkner.  I remember Mr. Forcino working at the Scrabble factory, which made him pretty much a celebrity.  And PJ coming up behind us, becoming the leader he was born to be.

But most of all, I remember Terri.  Such a beautiful open spirit, with wide eyes and a quick  smile.  I envy your family for your time with her, and feel awful for your terrible loss.  

If I can't get back to New York this weekend, please know you are in my prayers

Dear Ron, Patricia, Mary Kate, and Alexa-
I was so sorry to hear of Teri’s passing. What a lovely lady she was, and a wonderful asset to the JHS library.  I had all 3 of you girls as students in the Forest Ave library, and all of you were delightful.  Teri and Ron  raised 3 fabulous daughters, and this is a difficult loss for them and Ron.  Teri will definitely be missed. 😥 sending hugs and love- Rhonda Weintraub

 Visitation

OBITUARY

Theresa A. Goebel

October 16, 1956 – September 16, 2025

Claude R. Boyd–Spencer Funeral Home

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