Photo of Theresa

A Tribute to Theresa

July 3, 1959 - June 20, 2011

We were saddened when we lost a member of the Connections family on Monday, June 20th, to pancreatic cancer. Theresa was mom to two young women, now 21 and 19. Just a few months ago, Theresa told her friend, Pat - one of our In-Home Support team - that she was happier than she'd ever been in her life. We will miss Theresa; a lovely, hard-working and dedicated parent who used her remarkable determination to overcome the difficult hand she was dealt.

Theresa was part of the Connections family for almost four years, coming to us for support to parent two teen daughters. Pat and Theresa's relationship extended all four years. A testament to their friendship was Pat's efforts to ensure Theresa received medical care as her illness progressed.

Through their years working together, Theresa learned about child and teen development and how to communicate with teens. She accessed counselling and she took great pride in working part-time, even though she lived well below the poverty line. Pat always remarked on Theresa's constant and never-ending efforts to work at being a better parent. Theresa developed a number of strong and happy community supports, realizing one of her goals.

In a final testament to Pat's support for Theresa, Pat has adopted Theresa's beloved cat, Smokey.

Connections is a family of support workers and clients. We all work together to strengthen families and the community. Our service is different because we stay with our families for as long as they need us. Our families are a little different too, but then we all have our strengths and weaknesses.

In the end, all parents just want to be the best parents they can be, and that is at the heart of the Connections family. We will miss Theresa and we extend heartfelt condolences to her daughters she loved so much, and to Pat who is feeling the loss of her inspiring friend.

And, finally, Connections thanks Pat for her dedication and for being a fine example through her creativity and her unique lens that ensures she sees the best in everyone.