Theresa Rose Eller

Theresa has twin sisters three years younger and has had that “take charge personality” since becoming a big sister.

She was a 1978 graduate of Thomas Jefferson High School in San Antonio and went on to graduate from the University of Texas (Austin) with a degree in Business Administration.

On February 15, 1995 she married Duane Eller in Breckenridge, Colorado. The wedding had to be postponed by a day because the bride and groom were snowbound several miles away. They continued their annual Colorado trip for several years and she loved snow skiing.

Always the entrepreneur; from the lemonade stand as a child, to making and selling stained glass at Arts and Craft Shows in Texas and Oklahoma; Theresa found her niche as a stylist and salon owner. She worked at several prestigious Austin salons after getting her license and in 2003 she and her business partner, Amy Sinclair, opened Cobalt Blue Salon. The stylists who worked for her and her clients became her second family.

Theresa dearly loved her children and when they were small she frequently took them to Sea World in San Antonio. She was an involved parent always seeing to it that school work was done and attending their extracurricular activities. Her children meant the world to her and she was so proud of them.

After having children, Theresa and her family vacationed closer to home along the Texas beaches. It has been a tradition for the last 12 plus years to celebrate her birthday in October at a condo in Port Aransas. She recently spent time with friends and family at Rockport and had planned to spend the 4th of July holiday there.

Theresa was a volunteer mom for the Shady Hollow Stingrays swim team, where her children have been members since they could barely walk. Blake and Tori, both excellent swimmers who have earned many ribbons and trophies and were always encouraged by Mom to do their best. Theresa was able to attend this years final meet at U.T.

When she was at her lowest points during treatment she remained positive keeping her prayer book and Bible close at hand. She has a strong faith in her Lord and knows He is with her through all things. Her pastor said she “lifts my spirit” when he visits and her sister Laura said: “She always brings me up” when talking to her by phone.

Theresa called Duane frequently and always had a cheerful “Hi, Honey” when he walked into her room. He has faithfully been there for her, bringing the children to visit often.

When her mother called her, she always answered with a cheerful “Hi Mom” and never complained about things not going well. Her sister Carol remained by her side, taking a leave of absence from work, and keeping a close eye on things daily. Theresa will also be remembered for her caring ways, her unique laugh and most importantly her positive disposition; the glass was always “half full”.

Theresa is survived by her beloved husband, Duane; children, Blake and Victoria (Tori); parents, Patrick and Betty Campa; sisters, Laura Lee and Carol Marquart (James Delgado); favorite cousin, “Chuckie” Moses, her special aunt, Kaye Moses; her Austin family, the Eller’s; many nieces, nephews and cousins and close friends in Austin and San Antonio.

Theresa was preceded in death by her father; and special uncle, Charles D. (Chuck) Moses.

Join in celebrating the life of Theresa at 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 4, 2012 at Bethany Lutheran Church, 3701 W. Slaughter Lane in Austin, Texas.

It became Theresa’s goal to have others understand the importance of blood donation, cord blood donation and to join the National Registry for Bone Marrow Transplant.

The Eller family would like to extend our gratitude to Doctor Jason Melear and Seton Medical Center Hospital, specifically those on the oncology floor and Christopher House for providing guidance and comfort.