Theresa Hope Westbrook Ettinger passed away in the early hours of October 15, 2021, in Memphis, Tennessee, where she had resided since 1980. She loved her children, grandchildren, and, wholeheartedly, the New Orleans Saints. She was stubborn, funny, big-hearted and strong, and her absence will leave a hole in the world never again to be filled. To the many who love her, she has bequeathed her humor, generosity of spirit, and steadfast belief in the importance of family.
She was born in Biloxi, Mississippi, on September 11, 1940, to Charles and Evelyn Westbrook. Named for her grandmother, Theresa was a Gulf Coast girl always and returned many, many times throughout the years to be with family and create beloved memories. She was proud of her heritage; we loved hearing the stories of her family. The only daughter and second oldest of seven surviving siblings, she was a natural born nurturer and healer. If you were her child, grandchild, stepchild, friend of her child, etc., you were hers. Family was everything, and blood had little to do with it. She was Mama Tee to everyone. Her furbabies through the years were equally loved and treasured. If you were in her orbit, she was your Mom.
She was a devoted Catholic for most of her life, despite the fact that her report cards from 1950-1958 revealed that she consistently scored C’s in Religion at Sacred Heart. After graduating from parochial school at 16, she enrolled in training to be a nurse under the Sisters of Mercy in Vicksburg, Mississippi. She graduated and became a registered nurse on December 19, 1961. While still in training, she met a tall, lanky, young man with big ears who was nicknamed “Jitterbug”. Theresa also liked to dance. She married George S. Ettinger on February 3, 1962, and they set up home in Vicksburg. Through the years, the family moved between Vicksburg and Memphis, finally settling in Memphis in 1980.
Over the course of her 66 years as a Registered Nurse, Theresa walked the halls of hospitals and nursing homes, and ultimately capped her career with 21 years in the Shelby County Health Department system. She especially loved working with seniors and babies and spent several years in the Childhood Lead Poisoning Prevention program.
Theresa loved playing games with her family and friends and was fiercely competitive. She was creative and artistic, interested in a diversity of mediums. In her younger years, Theresa was athletic and participated on softball and bowling teams. She was a big fan of the Outlander series. She was charismatic, and could party with the best and loved Mardi Gras, as it was one more opportunity to be with her family on the Coast.
Theresa Hope Westbrook Ettinger is survived by three children: Laura Ettinger-Harwell (husband Lyn Ettinger-Harwell), Charles Walker Ettinger (wife Stacey Ettinger) and Arthur Andrew Ettinger (fiancee’ Katie Chumbley), Sons-in-law Brian McCaig-Hadsall and Greg Hadsall McCaig, and son of her heart, Jody Murphy. Grandchildren include Andi Elise Clark (husband Brett and adorable littles Anna, Jonathan, Noah and Matthew), Emily Margaret Ettinger (fiancé, Andrew Christopher), Kristof Trentan Chester, Luca Ettinger, Parker Ettinger, Kiefer Ettinger, and step-grandchildren, Walker, Kaitlyn, Cheyenne, and Shane Petrowski.
Her brothers, Larry Westbrook, Michael Westbrook (wife Sarah), Glenn Westbrook, and Kevin Westbrook (wife Grace) survive her, as well as Brother-in-Law Howard Ettinger. Nephews Mark Ettinger (wife Sheila); Daniel Ettinger; Wayne Westbrook, Jr. (wife Carla); Dennis Westbrook II (wife Karen); Devon Westbrook (Amanda) and Kevin Westbrook II (wife Angela) were dear to her, as were nieces Pam Gillis (husband David), Ellen Westbrook Lawler (husband Patrick), and Michelle Dale (husband David). She leaves behind a multitude of grand-nieces, grand-nephews, cousins, still-in-laws, and dear sweet friends.
She was preceded in death by her parents, as well as her husband, George S. Ettinger; her son George Smith Ettinger; daughter of her heart, Dannon Ettinger-Barrett; brothers John, Dennis, and Wayne Westbrook; grandchildren Meghan Hughes and Benjamin Leonard.
Visitation is scheduled for Wednesday, October 20 from 5pm to 8pm at Family Funeral Care at 4925 Summer Avenue. The memorial service follows on Thursday, October 21 at 2pm. A reception will follow. Theresa Ettinger LOVED flowers. If you want to send them, please do.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.FamilyFuneralMemphis.com for the Ettinger family.
