Teresa Lynn Guardiola

Teresa was born on October 30, 1964 in Omaha, Nebraska to Frederika and Harold Raymond, and later moved to Weatherford, Texas.

She is survived by her brother Todd, her husband Julio, and her daughter Sara.

As the wife of a career Army serviceman, Teresa spent much of her adult life moving from place to place, an experience that fostered her lifelong curiosity about the world and its people. She embraced every opportunity to travel, delighting in different cultures, breathtaking beauty, and memorable cuisine. Teresa had a thirst for knowledge and a passion for educating others. She held a Bachelor's degree in Romance Languages, a Master of Education in Curriculum Design and Technology, and a Master of Library Science. Few things gave her greater fulfillment than seeing her students succeed. She especially enjoyed being an elementary school librarian, sparking wonder in children's tender hearts and fostering a love of reading. Her favorite book was Frankenstein by Mary Shelley. She loved photography, and had a unique and rare talent for capturing the sparkle and joy in others. Teresa had a passion for learning languages, and stunned her friends and family by suddenly speaking French, German, Spanish, or Korean. She had many talents, and never stopped learning new things.

Teresa was a Girl Scout, she held a deep-rooted respect for nature and wildlife. Spending time with her included at least one fascinating lesson about trees. She loved camping, and would often spend time outside at night to enjoy the stars and the sounds of nature. Crickets, frogs and fireflies reminded her of a sweeter time in her life, and she would stop and absorb that sound anytime or anywhere she heard it, for as long as she pleased. Teresa sure knew how to stop and appreciate the little things. She played the acoustic guitar and never forgot the Girl Scout songs she learned as a child. She was an unbelievably caring friend, she loved giving gifts far more than receiving them. She exemplified kindness, generosity, empathy, compassion, respect, joy, gratitude, wonder, and so much more. Teresa was a mother, a sister, a friend, a wife, a supporter, a nurturer. Sometimes she was just a girl who loved soft blankets, fuzzy socks, stuffed animals and good smelling soaps. Her legacy lives on fiercely and vividly in the hearts of those who knew her.

And if you are reading this without having known my mom, I still want you to have this piece of Teresa's love and wisdom. "Leave it better than you found it. Always put the fire all the way out. Be a good steward of this planet. Be kind to others. Cherish your friends. Make time for new memories. Don't let your people ever doubt for one second how much you love them. Play. Laugh. Read. Take pictures. Lift others up and cheer them on. But above all else, be kind."