Teresa M. Blem

A visitation for family and friends will be held Saturday, July 16, 2022 from 10:00 am to 11:00 am at Striffler-Hamby Mortuary, 4071 Macon Rd., Columbus, Georgia, followed by funeral services at 11:00 am in the Edgewood Hall. Teresa will be laid to rest in Parkhill Cemetery, 4161 Macon Rd., Columbus, Georgia.

Teresa was born March 2, 1958 in Butler, PA. to the late Robert Rothwell and Florence Huff Rothwell. She attended Western High School in Baltimore, MD., and then went on to obtain her Bachelor’s Degree from The University of Maryland at Baltimore. Teresa was inspired to pursue a rehabilitation profession after growing up spending time with a neighbor with mobility challenges. She met her husband Randy Blem in 1977 while he was stationed aboard the USS Austin in the United States Navy. The pair was engaged on Christmas Day, 1979, and were married August 23, 1980. She began her physical therapy career at Deershead Center in Salisbury, MD. Teresa and Randy welcomed their first daughter, Erin Elizabeth, in 1984. The family moved to Hebron, MD in 1987, just weeks after having their second daughter, April Lynn. Teresa went to Dorchester General Hospital as a staff therapist in 1982 in Cambridge, MD. Her natural leadership skills along with her passion for helping others sparked her career in healthcare leadership, and in 1995 became the Director of Rehabilitation for the University of Maryland Shore Regional Health. Teresa held this role for 26 years until her retirement in April of 2021, where she oversaw 3 hospitals, 4 outpatient clinics, an inpatient rehab facility and an outpatient pain practice. She was also a surveyor for Carf International, where she was responsible for reviewing and accrediting Rehab programs all over the world.

While Teresa excelled in her career, her most important and favorite role was being Mom. She was heavily involved in all of her girls’ extracurricular activities and held numerous titles, such as Girl Scout leader, softball coach, dance mom, Mardela High School “Band-Aide”, and many more. Teresa planned multiple camping trips, coordinated cookie sales, designed and sewed a variety of dance costumes, hosted infield practice and throwing clinics, and was the designated catcher for pitching practice. She lived a life devoted to her family, with God at the center. She led by example and taught those around her about God’s love by how she treated and cared for others.

Following her retirement, Teresa and Randy sold their home of 34 years in Hebron and moved to Fortson, GA to be with their daughters and their families. There she fully embraced her new role in the life of Nana.

She was preceded in death by three siblings, Steven Rothwell, Barbara Cruz and Paul Rothwell.

Survivors include her loving husband, Randy L. Blem, daughter, April Stewart (Ben) and Erin Ward (John) all of Fortson GA. Seven grandchildren, Jacob Ward, Kyleigh Ward, Hudson Ward, Rachel Stewart, Lydia Stewart, Greyson Stewart and London Stewart, eight siblings, Martha Nestor, Lynn Beideman, Robert “Jim” Rothwell, Thomas Rothwell, John Rothwell, Gregory Rothwell, Daniel Rothwell, and David Rothwell. She is also survived by numerous nieces, nephews, and other extended family.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.shcolumbus.com for the Blem family.