May 13, 1971 – April 25, 2024
Theresa passed away surrounded by pure love on April 25, 2024. She leaves behind her husband Ian, daughter Cadence and son Gavin; parents Anthony and Ann Benson; brothers Jonathan (Kaity) and Patrick (Katie); in-laws Peter and Eileen Woolridge; sister-in-law Lisa (Rob); a large extended family, and a wide circle of loving friends.
Our favourite person grew up in Beaverbank, Nova Scotia with her parents and two younger brothers. And down the street from the love of her life, Ian—but we’ll come back to that. She completed a bachelor’s degree in English before she grabbed her childhood best friend and organized a student work abroad experience together. She spent a year pulling taps in England and getting up to shenanigans overseas before she came back to Halifax and set out on her true career calling.
Theresa embarked upon a degree in public relations and in her off-hours could be found slinging drinks at the bars downtown. It was in this most romantic of settings that her relationship with Ian blossomed as many do in that city—at the Liquordome. She was a bartender and he worked the doors as a bouncer. They both made lifelong friends who can attest that no love story has ever been more perfectly written.
After their wedding the dynamic duo moved first to Toronto, then came to their senses and relocated to Ottawa. Here they welcomed the spirited, inimitable fashionista Cadence, followed by the cat- and grammar-loving lacrosse star Gavin. Theresa flourished in her career in PR and marketing and was a treasured colleague to many. She was a driving force behind the creation and roll-out of the 72HR Be Prepared campaign, and adored her last role doing community outreach for the design and construction of the new library in Ottawa.
Outside of work, her favourite hobbies were collecting piles of books (even reading some of them) and chasing down the perfect photo, be it in sunflower fields or on beaches in her beloved home province. She delighted and shared in Cadence’s love of all things winter and Christmas, and she was undoubtedly the proudest person on the sidelines when watching Gavin light up the LAX field.
When she was diagnosed with colorectal cancer and it became clear she was in the fight of her life, she chose to embrace every moment. As a result, many of us have learned how to paint Ukrainian easter eggs, blow glass ornaments, properly decorate Christmas cookies, walk with alpacas and shuck oysters. There is no one who embodied “seek joy” more than our friend T. This included as many trips back home as she could manage, and eating all the lobster rolls. Maybe a donair or two as well.
As light as she wanted this obituary to be, there was nothing light about her journey. Our girl was so intolerant to chemo and anti-nauseants and surgeries that her years of battling this terrible disease were more painful than any person should be expected to handle. And it was colossally unfair that this level of suffering was put upon nothing short of an angel on earth, who saw the good in everyone and loved her family and friends with ferocity. She taught us all to be more tolerant, patient and kind—no small feat given the size of some of our Grinchy hearts.
The only solace we take is that her pain is over and that for her time on earth, she and Ian built a life they loved—together, and joined at the heart.
Rest in power, friend. You will always be the wind beneath our wings.
A Celebration of Life will take place in Ottawa on Saturday, May 4, 2024 from 1:00-4:00 pm at Orchard View. The family is also planning another service in Nova Scotia this summer; date and venue to be determined.
In lieu of flowers, please consider making a donation in her memory to the charity of your choice.
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