Theresa was born on June 3rd, 1948, in Detroit, Michigan. She was the second of six children raised by Joan and Sam Giannola who met during World War II in England. Joan immigrated from England to Michigan with Sam after the war and Theresa was born 3 years later.
Theresa attended high school at St. Joseph Academy in Adrian, Michigan where her Catholic faith was further influenced by its founders the Dominican Sisters. She excelled in drama, singing and performing her lines in high school plays. Reflecting on her time there she wrote “It was a springboard that rounded and grounded my life both mentally and spiritually”.
She attended Eastern Michigan University and later completed her Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Phoenix. She was married on July 11th, 1969 and moved with her husband to Wiesbaden, Germany. On September 9th, 1970, she gave birth to her only child Brian Adam Faber.
She relocated to Phoenix and opened her own independent Dental/Medical Training company. She retired from her company in 2007 after 30 years of operating a successful business. In 2009 she was coaxed out of retirement by her brother Chris Giannola who was the Camp Director for St. Joseph’s Youth Camp from 1998 to 2009.
Sadly, in 2016, her son Brian unexpectedly passed away just days before his 46th birthday. Heartbroken she wrote shortly after his death “My faith and trust in the Lord has given me the much-needed peace but my human grief is deep”.
Over the past 12 years, Theresa embraced the values and traditions of the Camp and devoted herself to its mission to provide a positive and impactful camp experience for children. In 2015 her niece Lindsay Mills joined the SJYC team so Theresa and her family have been a part of serving St. Joseph’s Youth’s Youth Camp for a combined 29 years.
Theresa died on the Solemnity of St. Joseph, March 19th, in the Year of St. Joseph. She was 72. In the weeks preceding her death, Theresa received the Sacraments of the Eucharist, Confession and Anointing of the Sick.
There is no way to adequately write an account of someone's life, especially someone like Theresa. She put others' needs before her own, and made sure she helped everyone around her before she helped herself. She was always willing to shift focus and actually notice others and care about them. Just a kind, approachable, generous to a fault and forgiving person.
Theresa entrusted her life completely to God. In a personal note she wrote “I am grateful for the life God has planned for me. I am grateful for the times and memories of years gone by. I am grateful for all of you because you touched my life in some special way”.
In lieu of flowers, please donate to the St. Joseph’s Youth Camp “Scholarship Fund” through this link to Donorbox and select “Dedicate my donation in memory of Theresa Faber”.
• Link: https://donorbox.org/sjyc-scholarship-fund
If you would like to donate using a check, please send it to:
St. Joseph’s Youth Camp
P.O. Box 23658
Tempe, AZ 85285
SCHOLARSHIP FUND
The Scholarship Fund allows St. Joseph’s Youth Camp to offer youth with financial hardships to attend camp. It costs $650 to send a kid to camp and we need your help to make sure every child has the opportunity to enjoy a fun week among the pines. We also offer scholarships specifically for the children of Veterans or fallen Veterans. To contribute to either scholarship fund, please click below.
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