Terri was born May 9th, 1958. The youngest of nine children born to Joseph and Flora Kilmire, she grew up and lived her entire life in Akron, Ohio attending Firestone Park grade schools and Garfield High School. Together with Jim Ball, they raised two beautiful children- son, Sean and daughter, Traci. Jim’s passing in 1994 left a huge void in Terri’s heart.
After several years and a few bumps and misfortunes along the way, Terri married Lawrence (Larry) Rocco on the 4th of July at their home in Tallmadge, Ohio. No day could have been more fitting as Terri loved the Red, White, and Blue that represented anything American, Americana, or Patriotic.
Terri truly loved her family, the heat of the summer sun, the beautiful colors of fall leaves, the glittering snow of winter, and the smell of the spring rain. She loved dogs, cats, horses, birds, and squirrels (damn tree rats!). She loved daisies, black-eyed susans, and baby pink roses. She also loved shoes. Oh my, did she love those shoes!
Of everything, Terri was most proud of her two children and six grandchildren. If you ever wanted to see her glow, just mention one of her children or grandchildren.
She was beyond words proud of her beautiful and only daughter Traci Kraft who is married to her favorite and best ever in the world son-in-law US Army Master Sergeant (retired) Bane Kraft and currently resides in Texas. Together with Traci and Bane and Terri’s favorite grandsons Landon and Vance and her favorite granddaughters Alaina and Brenna, Terri enjoyed some of her happiest years when she lived with them in Virginia while Bane was deployed and Traci attended college. One of Terri’s fondest memories was having a picture taken showing the 3 generations. Terri and Traci were best girlfriends as well as mother and daughter and had a closeness that was truly treasured by Terri.
Terri was extremely proud of her son, US Army Master Sergeant (retired) Sean Shiplett and was elated at his successful military career. Her pride was overwhelming even more so seeing him in his full military attire. Sean is married to Terri’s favorite ever in the world daughter-in-law Angie and together they are the parents of Terri’s favorite grandson, Donovan and reside in Illinois. Sean is also the father of Terri’s favorite, and first born granddaughter, Devyn who awarded Terri the name “Nana”.
Terri worked various jobs over the years- from being a secretary in a law office, to general labor in plastic factories, to tearing down and rebuilding transmissions, to her final and most truly loved job of a Bank Teller. The job was not all the big business of banking, but the one she loved the most. She truly loved her customers and loved working the drive thru as she loved handing out treats to the kids and the dogs! Terri began her banking career at Bank One (later becoming Chase), then National City (later becoming PNC)- all of which were located in the Cuyahoga Falls and Stow area. Terri retired from the Graham Bailey (Stow Branch) of PNC.
Terri will be meeting up in Heaven with her true soul mate in life- James (Jimmy) Ball, as well as her parents Joseph and Flora Kilmire, her brother Joe and wife Ann Kilmire, her brother James Kilmire, her sister Laura Brunecke and husband Ken, her sister Bonnie and husband Steve Hegedeos, her sister Pam (Jackie) and husband Ed Daley, her sister’s husband Paul Slaubaugh, her special cat and part of the cat family- Luc E. Cat (“Lucky”), furry sons Jake Richard Rocco (“Rikki”), Paisano Dante Rocco (“PD”), forever faithful “Buddy”, and the most precious furry daughter “Lucy” as well as several goldfish.
Terri will be missing and waiting for the arrival (but take your time) of children Sean and Traci along with their spouses Angie and Bane, grandchildren Devyn, Donovan, Landon, Alaina, Vance and Brenna, her favorite brother and sister-in-law Dennis and Danette Kilmire, her favorite brother Larry Kilmire, her favorite sister Judi Slaubaugh, her brother’s wife Janie Francis Kilmire, her good buddies of many years Marge Dunbar and husband Dave, and her friend and best neighbor ever, Sandy Kelley along with all her great nieces and nephews that she thought the world of and loved dearly.
Terri so wished to thank her family and friends for standing by her through her fears and battle with Metastatic Breast Cancer. The kind words, cards, and unwavering steadfastness of positivity and friendship meant the world to her. Special thanks to Cleveland Clinic-Stow, Akron General Hospital, her hospice care givers, and her nieces Christy Sorboro and Melissa Kanor.
As life goes forward Terri hopes you will never miss the chance to tell your spouse how grateful you are they are there and that you never miss the chance to hug your kids- longer, tighter and way more often. She hopes you’ll spoil your grandkids every chance you have, tell your brothers and sisters how much they mean to you and be grateful for your friends. She hopes you’ll feed a stray hungry dog or cat- or better yet take them home! Most of all, she hopes you don’t wait to find out that life on earth is truly short.
“I hope to find that what they all talk about and say…’’being in a better place”…is true because being there with you is my better place, and I’d always choose and wish I could be there”
Services will be private and burial will be at Rose Hill Burial Park.
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