Therese Marie Wynkoop

Beloved Mom, grandma and friend, Therese "Terri" Wynkoop passed away on May 2, 2026. She was born on October 12, 1950 in Blue Island, Illinois, to Clifford Foote, Jr. and Leona Foote. She was raised in the Dolton-Riverdale, IL area, the eldest of six children. She often helped care for her younger siblings and felt a great deal of love for them.

Terri graduated from high school and attended beauty school, meeting many dear friends along the way. She married Jerry Wynkoop on May 17, 1980 at Queen of Apostles Church in Riverdale, IL. Their daughter, Kristin Marie Wynkoop was born on September 28, 1981. The family lived in Hammond, IN and later Schererville, IN, where they resided for 22 years.

Terri was an incredibly dedicated wife, mother and friend. She served her community with joy as a beautician and later as an award-winning Avon lady, bringing true friendship, compassion and care to hundreds of people over the years on her cherished "Avon route." She was a dedicated member of the St. Michael's church community, where her daughter attended elementary school and where she served on the school board, initiated events such as the St. Nicholas celebration, lead the preparation of the annual popular chicken dinner fundraiser, and volunteered her time and talents in countless other ways. She hosted holiday dinners, Friday night dinners, pool parties, and celebrations with the passion and detail one would expect from a professional. Bringing joy to others was her true talent.

In 2012, Terri and her husband Jerry sold their custom-built cherished home without hesitation to move to Chicago and be there for her daughter as she welcomed their first grandchild, Caleb, into the world. She took incredible care of Caleb for many years full-time, and did the same when her granddaughter, Aurora, was born four years later. Although this caused her to giver up her Avon business and see friends much less, there is nowhere else she wanted to be.

Terri and Jerry lived in a two-flat building with their daughter's family in the Lincoln Square neighborhood of Chicago until Jerry's passing in late 2024. A few months later, she moved to St. Joseph's Village, due to her battle with dementia. She was cared for by many lovely people there with tenderness and compassion. She had many happy days and outings with her daughter and family until the battle became too much in late 2025, and eventually she passed peacefully, still talking and connecting with caretakers until hours before her passing.

She is survived by her daughter, Kristin Marie Novy, son-in-law, Joshua Novy, grandson Caleb Jerry, 13, and granddaughter Aurora Marie, 9. Her memory will not be forgotten for a single day.

A funeral service for Therese and Jerry will be held on May 15, 2026 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Michael's in Schererville, IN. Following Therese and Jerry's funeral, there will be an interment for Jerry and Terri at Chapel Lawn Memorial Gardens, also in Schererville. A celebration of life will follow at Teibel's.

Please visit Jerry's obituary at: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/chicago-il/jerry-wynkoop-12033029