Teresa Margaret White DeWine

Heaven surely filled with spontaneous singing of “When Irish Eyes Are Smiling” on the afternoon of January 31, 2018, when Teresa Margaret White DeWine, beloved wife of Robert Johnson DeWine, who predeceased her in 2010, passed away at 93 years of age. Loving mother to her seven children, dear grandmother to 14 grandchildren, and proud great-grandmother to 16, Teresa and Bob shared a great love in many wonderful years of marriage. Teresa said she tried to live her life the way her godmother, Aunt Ellen Joy Clancy lived, as evidenced by this quotation: “I shall pass through this world but once, any good therefore that I can do or any kindness that I can show to any human being let me do it. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again.” Teresa’s smile, capacity to love so many, positive attitude, faith, works of mercy, kindness, and devotion to her country were ways she did, indeed, live her life as her godmother had modeled.

Teresa, an active member of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church for 93 years, often was known to say that she had lived so long because of her church and her faith. Indeed, as a member of one of the founding families of the parish, Teresa recalled her grandmother, Teresa Sullivan Clancy, telling her how her great-grandmother, Mary O’Keefe Sullivan, worked at night to help her husband build the “first little church” building, Immaculate Conception Catholic Church in 1855 by carrying stone from the river to up to Summit Hill. Her Irish heritage, which was her husband, Bob’s, heritage also, was a source of love and pride. She and Bob spent many years researching ancestors in America and in Ireland. She and Bob both share relatives with the surname Sullivan, although not related to one another. Recently, her niece, Teresa, gifted her with a plot of land in Ireland that also carried a title. So it was, that in December, 2017, Teresa became the Squiress of Glens Wood, in County Antrim, Ireland. This past Christmas, her family lovingly presented her a tiara as a token of her title as well as to honor the queen of the family and of all our hearts. Never one to accept praise for her work, she quickly attributed all her blessings to God and her family.

Teresa worshipped, volunteered, and ministered actively all her life at Immaculate Conception Church, as a youth, and later, with the love of her life at her side, her husband, Bob. Together Bob and Teresa lovingly participated in the life of the parish and its parishioners. For many years, the DeWines hosted the Parish Picnic at their farm on Oak Ridge Highway. Teresa served on many committees and ministries, chaired “Come Alive at 55” Group, Altar Society, but her favorite “calling” was to work with the Bereavement Committee to support those who had lost a loved one. Her empathy and sympathy as well as her “listening” ear were legendary, not only in the parish but in the entire community. Although, as has been noted, she shunned all praise, instead attributing any success to others and God, she touched the lives of all whom she met.

Teresa graduated from Knoxville Catholic High School in 1943 as the treasurer of the class and co-editor of the Gold and Blue. She attended Our Lady of Cincinnati College for two years and graduated from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, in 1947 with degrees in English and Social Work. At U.T., she was assistant manager of the Orange and White newspaper and publicity chairman for the Catholic Newman Club.

Teresa was a lifetime member of the Ladies of Charity, Bereavement Committee, active PTA member of St. Mary’s, St. Joseph’s and Knoxville Catholic High Schools from 1953 to 1981. Bob and Teresa, along with good friends George and Alma Nabors, ran the concession stand at the original Knoxville Catholic High School building for every home game for many years. Teresa visited the sick, shut-ins, took care of many elderly relatives, volunteered for the American Heart Association, March of Dimes, St. Jude March, Easter Seal Campaign, Cancer Society Drives and was president of the Third Creek Home Demonstration Club. Perhaps her favorite job was as a worker and officer for the Knox County Election Commission. She loved her country, its constitution, and the precious right to vote the United States of America afforded its citizens. Always interested in the world, state, and local events, she had a studied opinion on most topics of interest but was always open to listen to anyone else’s point of view.

Mrs. DeWine was predeceased in death by her grandparents, William and Martha White, Thomas and Teresa Sullivan Clancy, her parents, Dr. Dye T. and Kathleen Clancy White, her brother Dr. William J. White, infant sister, Martha White, niece, Ellen White Ettensberger and her beloved husband of 63 years, Bob DeWine. Many, many other aunts, uncles, cousins and friends also predeceased her.

Left to treasure her memory are her seven children: Kathleen (Bert) Benedict, Linda (Jim) Martin, Margaret (Bob) Duncan, Mary Nell DeWine, Michael (Barbara) DeWine, Elizabeth (Bill) Gann, and Josie (Randy) Graham.

Mrs. DeWine will also be forever cherished by her surviving 14 grandchildren: Kate (Ryan) Roovers, Dan (Mandi) Benedict, Ashley (Adam) Foster, David (Nikki) Martin, Seth (Jessica) Martin, Amy Duncan and Matt Haston, Adrienne (Charmian) Duncan Place, Megan Duncan, Kristin (Josh) Langdon, Abby (Jordan) Stridde, Chris (Amy) Gann, Maggie (Stephanos) Demus, Caroline Graham, and Annie Graham.

Sixteen devoted great-grandchildren survive: Carson Roovers, Catherine Roovers, Ali Benedict, Addy Foster, Ariele Foster, Sam Martin, Jackson Martin, Ella Rose Martin, Abagail Claire Martin, Lexi Duncan, Corbin Place, Caleb Johnson, Reagan Stridde, Jacob Gann, Chase Gann, and Lily Gann.

Teresa is also survived by her dear sister-in-law, Mary White, New Orleans, and her much loved nieces and nephews: Teresa (Richard) Gellis and family, Anna White, Ursula (Joe) Tevis and family, Philip (Donna) White and family, Paul (Lois) White and family, Martha (David) Jansen and family, and Clancy (Peter) Johannsen and family. One great nephew, Luke Ettensperger, son of Teresa’s deceased niece, Ellen, also survives his Aunt Teresa.

Teresa loved all her many, many cousins – from the White/Clancy side and the DeWine side! Teresa cherished all the many reunions, weddings, births and other special occasions all the cousins shared over the many years. The numerous cousins spanned the country and world, but when Teresa talked or visited with them, their love for each other was inspiring. Cousin Ellen Pickering, who was like a sister to Teresa, survives. Cousins to Teresa on the DeWine side, Carolyn and Freddie Webb and Katherine Ogle (deceased), enjoyed many years of eating out and just getting together often.

Mrs. DeWine also had very gracious neighbors including Louise Owens (deceased), Rex Owens, the O’Farrells, the Wynns, Jody Heath and Gwendolyn Lee.

Teresa held a special place in her heart for all of her many godchildren. She loved each of them deeply and kept up with all of their lives.

Teresa DeWine was a person who loved people. She was interested in you, your family and your friends. More amazingly, she remembered most every name and date from all facets of her long life. She was the first to offer help or prayers or both. No matter who she met – from the grocery store, the doctor’s office, the church, or someone’s home – she rarely forgot you or your situation and she would ask you about it the next time she saw you. She had a giving heart and truly lived her faith. Her capacity for faith and love was endless, as those who received it well knew.

The DeWine Family appreciates Smoky Mountain Hospice, doctors, nurses, nuns, priests, and all the friends and neighbors who were so good and kind to our mother over the years.

The DeWine Family will receive friends on Sunday, February 4, at Weaver Funeral Home, 5815 Western Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921, from 2-5 with a Holy Rosary recited by Father Ron Franco, CSP and Father Tim Sullivan, CSP. Funeral Mass will be at 10:00 AM, Monday, February 5, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, 414 W. Vine Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37902 with burial to follow at Calvary Cemetery, 1916 Martin Luther King, Jr., Knoxville, TN 37915. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to Immaculate Conception Catholic Church.