Theresa Elaine Finter

Theresa's generous heart, smiles, and hugs could often be taken for granted as she was always there for us. Theresa devoted her life and well-being to her family and those in need of her caring in ways second to none. Theresa had the sense of humor to lighten up the most difficult moments while also acting as confidant for those needing a caring ear.

As a nurse for more than 47 years she was the extraordinary soul that did it all - In OB, she cradled with loving arms baby Margaret Jeanne, her niece, when she arrived to this world. In the Hospital Medical/Surgery units, she was called to do the difficult IV that no one else could get started, feeling the hurt for the patient with each poke. In the doctor’s office, she was committed to returning every patient phone call before she went home for the day even if it was into the darkest of night. As a nurse specializing in Alzheimer Patient Care, she created activities to bring laughter and fun for patients as well as comfort and respite to their families. As a pioneer in home hospice nursing, she would buy the special powders and creams out of her own money to help comfort her end-of-life patients and families. As a specialist in diabetic patient needs, she was trained in pedorthist so she could help patients get the right shoes to care for their feet, including traveling all around the country to reach patients that could not leave their homes. She served as a nurse through all the modern-day health scares (HIV/AIDS, SARS, H1N1, MERS, COVID-19) never fearing for herself as she cared for patients.

But the nursing role she carried every minute of every day was the family nurse. She gifted us all her experience and care at every need - whether needing to understand a new medicine prescribed, giving attentive home care when most would go to the hospital, catching a new symptom or behavior needing attention, giving the needed shot or vaccination, or simply a kiss with a band-aid.

Theresa brought fun, laughter and the extraordinary to everything. She would "goose-step" across the football field leading the marching band, rack up the most hours of any candy striper of her time, go above and beyond in all her nursing, and gave her all every day to her family. There is no replacing her, so we now cherish her memory and carry her with us every day, everywhere we go, and in all we do.

She was preceded in death by her mother, Jeanne Elizabeth McIlrath Finter; her father, Donald Eugene Finter, Sr and her sister, Mary Catherine Finter Apodaca.

She is survived by her siblings: Suzanne Finter Huff and spouse, John Huff; Barbara Finter Daniels; Donald Eugene Finter, Jr; and Cynthia Finter and spouse, Michael Hudson; her nephew, Erik James Netterfield; and her nieces, Margaret Jeanne Huff, Ashley Elizabeth Apodaca Candlin and spouse, Drew Candlin; and her great nieces, Kennedy Catherine Candlin and Kamryn Dee Candlin.

Memorial Contributions may be given in Theresa’s memory to Wayside Waifs, 3901 Martha Truman Road, Kansas City, MO 64137.

Theresa’s visitation will be held from 4:30pm to 6:30pm on Thursday, April 9, 2026 at McGilley State Line Chapel, 12301 State Line Road, Kansas City, MO 64145.

Mass of Christian Burial will be at 11:00am on Friday, April 10, 2026 at St. Elizabeth Catholic Church, 2 East 75th Street, Kansas City, MO 64114. KC Hospice Nurses Honor Guard will perform honors at 10:45am, just before Mass. Theresa will be laid to rest immediately after Mass in Mount Moriah Cemetery South (Faith Garden), 10507 Holmes Road, Kansas City, MO 64131.