Teresa Marie DeGroot

She passed away peacefully, with her husband by her side, where he could always be found.

Our cherished wife, beloved mother, adored Nana, and dear sister, friend, daughter, and aunt will be lovingly remembered by her husband of 45 years, Tony DeGroot, children Glenn (Julie), Craig (Suzanne) and Carla (D’Arcy), grandchildren Adaillia, Keandra, Kaden, Zyaa, Davin, Rory, Anaya,Bronwyn,Malcolm, Kelaiya, and Tillie, her sisters, parents, siblings in law, many nieces and nephews, and countless friends.

A true Chilliwack girl, Teresa was born into a farming family on Fairfield Island, the oldest of four girls. She moved to Rosedale as a young girl, attended Rosedale United Church her entire life, went to school at Cheam Elementary, East Chilliwack Elementary, Rosedale Junior, and graduated from Chilliwack Secondary. She lived, worked, and played in Rosedale and East Chilliwack her whole life, simply loving the natural beauty that surrounded her - as long as the cows didn’t get loose.

Teresa had a heart of service, always giving and providing to those around her. She supported Tony and the kids through every endeavour, from running the farm in the background, helping organize the 4H club, keeping dinner warm after hundreds of basketball games and dance practices, and more, all while being her kids’ biggest cheerleader. She was the ultimate hostess, well known for her incredible baking and the ability to host a happy hour with complete ease. The matriarch of her family, she was an expert at gathering us for meals and celebrations. Her enormous smile will be forever missed.

Teresa adored camping - from squeezing the family of five into the tiny camper in Osoyoos every summer in the 80s and 90s to travelling down the Baja peninsula with Tony in their motorhome, visiting every corner of BC and over a dozen states and making friends everywhere they went, she loved being on the road. She also treasured the cabin on the lake, spending time with friends on the dock, enjoying the beach, snowshoeing, and keeping things presentable. Travelling the world, visiting as many beaches as possible, brought Teresa much joy.

The family would like to thank all who were involved in Teresa’s cancer journey these last 6 years. The never ending support from friends and family, and the compassion and care in her final weeks from the teams at Abbotsford Palliative Care and at Cascade Hospice in Chilliwack, and Dr. Ashley Epp.

A celebration of her beautiful life will be held at Cheam View United Church on December 28, at 2:30 pm, followed by a gathering to share memories and laughter at the Chilliwack Curling Club.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Canadian Cancer Society.

Until we meet again.