Theresa Ann Penn Lavery

Theresa married her high school sweetheart Michael T. Penn in 1982 and they were blessed with three children. During Mike’s fight with cancer in 1999, Theresa learned that cancer CANNOT cripple love, shatter hope, corrode faith, suppress memories, silence courage, or conquer the spirit. Theresa was a strong woman before, but she was an even stronger one after. Her parenting might be remembered more for her “tough love” than for her hugs, but she admirably taught her children grace, love, truth, strength, and perseverance by example.  That parenting style transformed when she was blessed with grandchildren.  It is here where she actively showed her love and adoration for the grandchildren through weeks at the lake, sports and schooling.

God saw it was not fit for her to be alone and blessed her with her second husband, Jack Lavery, whom she married in 2000. Theresa continued to grow in her faith and love for God and actively put her faith into action in many Catholic ministries, specifically pro-life and respect-life activities. The Emmaus Women’s Retreats are where shared her love of God and encouraged other women. Prayer became her passion, especially as she neared the end of her life. 

Theresa was an in-depth researcher when motivated by her interests or needs, in particular her health. She developed breast cancer in 2018, but was able to use aggressive integrated holistic medical approaches to bring it into remission.  Unfortunately, the cancer came back with a vengeance in 2022 and aggressively metastasized before she was even aware it had returned. Theresa, using her rosary as armor, became a warrior of Christ, giving her pain purpose through her prayers.  Theresa remained strong-willed and held fast to her faith and her principles until she took her last breath with her children and her husband by her side.

Her Creator has called her home, and she will be missed by all. 

But, my family and friends, God is still God, and God is still good. 

Theresa is survived by her husband, Jack Lavery; her children, Allison Brissett (husband Jean-Paul), Jamie Penn and Andrew Penn; her grandchildren, Evan, Rania, Raylen, Ella, Emelia, Olivia, Levi and Isabelle Brissett; her mother, Suzanne FitzGerald; her sister, Jean Martin; her brothers, Tim, Tom and Jim FitzGerald; and Jack’s children Paul (wife Melanie), Michael, Matt and Katie. 

She is preceded in death by her first husband, Michael Penn; her father, Timothy FitzGerald; her sister, Maureen FitzGerald. 

A Memorial Mass will be celebrated at 10:30am, Tuesday, October 25, 2022 at St. Anthony the Abbot Catholic Church, with Reverend Young Nguyen officiating.

ARRANGEMENTS BY

MERRITT FUNERAL HOME

BROOKSVILLE, FLORIDA

 (352)796-6699

www.merrittfuneral.com