Obituary for Theresa Tierney (Carpenter)
On Tuesday, July 12, 2022, Theresa (Carpenter) Tierney, cherished wife and friend passed away at the age of 73.
Theresa was born May 08, 1949, to Reginald and Jeannette (LePage) Carpenter. A date that was shared with Mother’s Day and her father’s birthday. She lived in Coventry Connecticut with her family throughout her school years, graduating from Coventry High School in 1967.
Terri’s calling came early, she wanted to be a nurse as a small child, matching her M&Ms to her aunt’s medications. She pursued her nursing career, upon graduating from Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing, she entered the US Air Force in 1970 and was discharged a lieutenant. She earned a BS in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She was passionate about her profession, determined to bring empathy and compassion as well as knowledge and skill to each encounter, whether the patient was a stranger or a beloved member of her extended family. She gave direct care to many in her circle and provided support and information for many more. Affectionately dubbed “Big Nurse”, in the family she researched, provided education materials and instructed those who sought her guidance (and some who got it anyway) as to what they needed to know and do for the best outcome.
Terri loved nursing and the many different opportunities it afforded her to learn and grow. Her nursing experiences ranged from Staff Nurse at several Connecticut Hospitals and Nursing Homes, Nurse Manager at Mt Sinai hospital in Hartford, multiple positions at Johnson Memorial Hospital, including a decade in the emergency room. She was the Clinical Director for an innovative Home Care Agency in Houston TX in the early years of the AIDS epidemic, offering service when few did. Among her favorite roles was at Cancer Treatment Centers in Phildelphia, where as a case manager she bonded with patients and their families as they traveled that difficult path. She later served that facility as Director of staff development, effectively combining her ability to impart information, skills and her unwavering expectations for quality and compassionate care. She continued to receive cards and notes from patients and families long after she cared for them.
Terri and Collin made their home in Connecticut for several years before moving to Philadelphia, a big change that Terri embraced, loving the lively neighborhoods, great dining and the culture and history of the area. After retirement, they moved to Inverness Fl, to a house she loved, neighbors who welcomed them and a back yard view that offered serenity and an ever-changing scene of farm animals and water fowl.
Terri was preceeded in death by her parents and sister Darlene Carpenter and brother in-law Arthur Bosse. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Collin Tierney (her best friend, her world), her sisters Elaine Bosse of Willington CT and Cathleen Ober (Michael) of Escondido CA., her Mother In-Law Doris Tarbell of Spring Hill FL., her sisters in-law Susan Capehart (Robert) of Spring Hill, FL and Sheryl Green of Inverness FL.
One of her greatest joys in life was being an aunt, and she was determined to be the best. She is survived by her nephews John Bosse (LaDonna) of Willington, CT., Arthur Bosse (Marc Rousseau) of San Francisco, CA., Ingram Ober (Marisol) of San Diego, CA., Jared Ober (Sarah) of Valley Center, CA., and Ian Spencer of Worcester MA and her nieces Jacqueline Merrill (Ed) of Inglis FL., and Gabrielle Tierney of Lawrence MA.
Terri’s great nieces and nephew warmed her heart with laughter. Megan Andersen (Jon), Sarah Greguoli (Austin), Mariah Powers (Zach), Dylan Jeannette and Cy Ober, and Laurel Spencer.
Terri was the nicest person most of us will ever know. She liked people and met each person where they were comfortable. Terri would talk with interest with everyone she met and engaged in conversations with strangers in a grocery line.
Terri was the glue that held us together. Her memory will have to sustain us. Friends and family will remember her style and wit, her infectious laugh and the depth of her generosity and affection.
Relatives and Friends are welcome to join the family from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Friday. August 5, 2022 at the Coventry-Pietras Funeral Home, 2665 Boston Turnpike (Rt 44), Coventry, CT, A Funeral Service will start at 1 p.m at the funeral home to be followed by Burial with Graveside Service and Military Honors at St. Mary Cemetery in Coventry.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Terri’s favorite causes- Habitat for Humanity or FINCA (a global organization that makes mico-loans to woman; or a charity of your choice.
For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com
Theresa was born May 08, 1949, to Reginald and Jeannette (LePage) Carpenter. A date that was shared with Mother’s Day and her father’s birthday. She lived in Coventry Connecticut with her family throughout her school years, graduating from Coventry High School in 1967.
Terri’s calling came early, she wanted to be a nurse as a small child, matching her M&Ms to her aunt’s medications. She pursued her nursing career, upon graduating from Middlesex Hospital School of Nursing, she entered the US Air Force in 1970 and was discharged a lieutenant. She earned a BS in Psychology from Eastern Connecticut State University. She was passionate about her profession, determined to bring empathy and compassion as well as knowledge and skill to each encounter, whether the patient was a stranger or a beloved member of her extended family. She gave direct care to many in her circle and provided support and information for many more. Affectionately dubbed “Big Nurse”, in the family she researched, provided education materials and instructed those who sought her guidance (and some who got it anyway) as to what they needed to know and do for the best outcome.
Terri loved nursing and the many different opportunities it afforded her to learn and grow. Her nursing experiences ranged from Staff Nurse at several Connecticut Hospitals and Nursing Homes, Nurse Manager at Mt Sinai hospital in Hartford, multiple positions at Johnson Memorial Hospital, including a decade in the emergency room. She was the Clinical Director for an innovative Home Care Agency in Houston TX in the early years of the AIDS epidemic, offering service when few did. Among her favorite roles was at Cancer Treatment Centers in Phildelphia, where as a case manager she bonded with patients and their families as they traveled that difficult path. She later served that facility as Director of staff development, effectively combining her ability to impart information, skills and her unwavering expectations for quality and compassionate care. She continued to receive cards and notes from patients and families long after she cared for them.
Terri and Collin made their home in Connecticut for several years before moving to Philadelphia, a big change that Terri embraced, loving the lively neighborhoods, great dining and the culture and history of the area. After retirement, they moved to Inverness Fl, to a house she loved, neighbors who welcomed them and a back yard view that offered serenity and an ever-changing scene of farm animals and water fowl.
Terri was preceeded in death by her parents and sister Darlene Carpenter and brother in-law Arthur Bosse. She is survived by her husband of 24 years, Collin Tierney (her best friend, her world), her sisters Elaine Bosse of Willington CT and Cathleen Ober (Michael) of Escondido CA., her Mother In-Law Doris Tarbell of Spring Hill FL., her sisters in-law Susan Capehart (Robert) of Spring Hill, FL and Sheryl Green of Inverness FL.
One of her greatest joys in life was being an aunt, and she was determined to be the best. She is survived by her nephews John Bosse (LaDonna) of Willington, CT., Arthur Bosse (Marc Rousseau) of San Francisco, CA., Ingram Ober (Marisol) of San Diego, CA., Jared Ober (Sarah) of Valley Center, CA., and Ian Spencer of Worcester MA and her nieces Jacqueline Merrill (Ed) of Inglis FL., and Gabrielle Tierney of Lawrence MA.
Terri’s great nieces and nephew warmed her heart with laughter. Megan Andersen (Jon), Sarah Greguoli (Austin), Mariah Powers (Zach), Dylan Jeannette and Cy Ober, and Laurel Spencer.
Terri was the nicest person most of us will ever know. She liked people and met each person where they were comfortable. Terri would talk with interest with everyone she met and engaged in conversations with strangers in a grocery line.
Terri was the glue that held us together. Her memory will have to sustain us. Friends and family will remember her style and wit, her infectious laugh and the depth of her generosity and affection.
Relatives and Friends are welcome to join the family from 11 a.m.- 1 p.m., Friday. August 5, 2022 at the Coventry-Pietras Funeral Home, 2665 Boston Turnpike (Rt 44), Coventry, CT, A Funeral Service will start at 1 p.m at the funeral home to be followed by Burial with Graveside Service and Military Honors at St. Mary Cemetery in Coventry.
In lieu of flowers, donations are encouraged to Terri’s favorite causes- Habitat for Humanity or FINCA (a global organization that makes mico-loans to woman; or a charity of your choice.
For online condolences please visit: www.pietrasfuneralhome.com