Teresa A. Rogers

Teresa Messina Rogers, born September 17, 1934, in Dallas, Texas, passed away peacefully at the age of 86 on Saturday, January 30, 2021, surrounded with love and prayers from her entire family. Preceded in death by her parents, Bennie and Rosa Mae Messina, sister Patricia Messina Neal, and son Michael Kevin Rogers. Survived by her loving husband of 63 years , John Coleman Rogers, attorney and veteran of the United States Marine Corp, three children and their spouses, and ten grandchildren: daughter Shari Rogers Ackels, {Gregory), and their children, Gregory, Jr., Madeleine, Jeffrey and Jennifer Ackels; her son Kevin's children, John Michael and Megan Rogers, and their mother Liane; her son Brian, (Heather), and their children Lin and Garrett Rogers; and her daughter Alisha Rogers O'Donnell, (Steve), and their children Dylan and Zoe O'Donnell. Known as "Gigi" to her grandchildren, Teresa lived a blessed and wonderful life. She was completely devoted to her family and is remembered by everyone who knew her as having a warm, welcoming and engaging personality. Her life was characterized by a spirit of giving and sacrifice for her family and friends. Teresa loved to cook and was the perfect hostess, serving up her delicious Italian dishes to scores of people that she hosted in her home, or to the community at large, through her church, St. Rita Catholic Church. Teresa and John were two of the earliest members of St. Rita and she spent her time there singing in the Church Choir for over 25 years and being part of the Choir's memorable trip to Ireland. She also served as a Eucharistic Minister during Mass and delivered the Eucharist to the sick, served as an ACTS Retreat member, through which she counseled many people through the Prison Ministry, was President of the St. Rita Mother's Club, a volunteer of the church's RCIA program, which included making home-cooked meals for all the sponsors and candidates once a week for over two years, and remained active in her service to the Church until recently. She was also a founding member of the Jesuit Women's Auxiliary, and a member of the Junior Bar Wives Club and Mary Martha Circle.

Teresa attended grade school and high school at Ursuline Academy in Dallas. She and John met in High School at Sammy's, her father's Italian Restaurant, and after one year of college at SMU, she transferred to St. Mary of the Woods in Terre Haute, Indiana. With John at Notre Dame, they began a life together of almost 70 years. She and John married on June 15, 1957 and they were always a team, admired by their friends and family alike. After being the wife of a Marine and living in San Diego for 3 years, Teresa and John settled in Dallas to raise their family. Teresa always placed being a Mother as the true calling in her life, and was involved in her children's lives, and the lives of their friends. She hosted parties for her parents friends, her friends, her children's friends and her grandchildren's friends, always serving up Southern Hospitality with a smile and welcoming arms. Her love of family had no limits, as she hosted every major event throughout the year, Easter, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and national holiday gatherings. She made sure she traveled and attended the college graduations of her grandchildren, and made a

lasting impression on their friends. In her later years, she became a speech therapist, taught at a Montessori school and enjoyed working at Marshall Field's and Tuesday Morning. Our beloved Teresa will be remembered for her kind heart, her gentle spirit, her spiritual devotion to the Blessed Mother, her love of music and playing the piano, her magnificent hospitality, her setting a peerless example of devotion to family and a legacy of these devotions for her children, grandchildren, and generations to come. May she rest in peace and tranquility and be received by the Lord, the Blessed Mother and all the angels in Heaven for an eternity.

The family wishes to thank the doctors and nurses and aides at Vitas Hospice Facility in Carrollton for their tireless efforts and dedicated service, especially Hope, Colleen, Patty, Martin and Avi, and all the caregivers, as well as Dr. Randy Crim, for his above-and-beyond care of John during these last few difficult weeks. A Rosary will take place on Friday, February 5, 2021 at 12:30 p.m. at St. Rita Catholic Church on Inwood Road in Dallas, with a Mass of Christian Burial to follow at 1:00 p.m. St. Rita will allow limited seating and all attendees are required to wear a mask and socially distance. The Rosary and Funeral Mass will be live streamed at https://youtu.be/EJ1ZNUrnoIw for those unable to attend. A private graveside service will take place at the D/FW National Veteran's Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Teresa's grandsons.