After a hard-fought battle with cancer, she passed away peacefully at Royal Jubilee Hospital in Victoria. She was born in London, England on January 2nd, 1945. Predeceased by her parents Lillian and Denis Garahan; she is survived by her son, Denis Garahan, and grandson, Talin; cousins, Noreen and Malcolm Cresswell, Ian, Marina and Maxim Cresswell; she will be greatly missed by family and many friends in Canada, the U.K., Australia, New Zealand.
Therese commenced her nurses training in 1963 at St. Mary’s Hospital, Paddington, England where she excelled in her studies and went on to become the youngest Ward Sister in the history of St. Mary’s. However, in 1969 she had itchy feet to travel and came to Canada where she started her new life in Edmonton, Alberta. However, after one winter in the north she could no longer stand the cold and so moved to Vancouver.
Therese worked as a registered nurse in the downtown east side clinic for 35 years. She was an excellent nurse who was respected by her work colleagues and patients alike. When she retired, she received an award from the City of Vancouver for her years of work with the poor, people with addictions and marginalized in downtown Vancouver.
After living on the North Shore for many years, she moved to Brentwood Bay on Vancouver Island in 2016 where she spent some of her happiest days working in her beautiful garden along with her dear friend, Shirley Porter. She enjoyed her daily walks around the Butchart Gardens where she made some very special friends.
Therese will be so missed by her friends around the world.
A Funeral Mass will be celebrated on March 29th, 2022, at Sacred Heart Parish, with a reception to follow, at 4040 Nelthorpe Street, Victoria, BC at 1:00 p.m. In addition, a memorial service to be held at a later date at St. Pius X Church in North Vancouver, BC.
Donations in Therese’s name can be made to the Canadian Cancer Society, 55 St. Clair Ave West, Suite 500, Toronto, Ontario M4V 2Y7 or the Victoria Humane Society, 4217 Glanford Ave, Victoria, BC V8Z 4B9.
Condolences may be offered to the family below.
McCall Gardens
www.mccallgardens.com
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Maureen Littler
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Harvey Marcus You are sorely missed old friend – be in peace.
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Carol-Anne Roberts So sad to hear of Terri’s passing. We met when she brought Denis to Sunday school in North Vancouver as a tot. Our sons attended the same high school, and in later years we met for coffee from time to time. We tried to solve some of the world’s problems and always had a good laugh. Rest in peace Terri, Hugs from me and ‘the boys’.
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Paul Duffy My godmother never forgot me, nor my brother, despite spending much of our lives a 9.5 hour flight away. Whenever she visited I always thought to myself she sounded more and more British every time I saw her. It was as if she had decided how she (and the world) ought to be, and she was jolly well going to make it even more so – a stubborn force of nature – and that everyone should be able to see it that way. She and my parents took a road trip through the backwaters of California a few years ago and she emerged from a coffee shop one morning absolutely stupefied that “the rather untoward gentleman taking my order could NOT understand me, des-SPITE me e-NUN-ciating myself PER-fectly CLEAR-ly” she said, nay ‘broadcast!’, in her perfect Queen Elizabeth accent. She really did love the British Royal family, and how apropos that, as I watch her service via YouTube, it should be on the same day as the memorial service for Prince Philip.
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Sandra Hedge I met Therese almost four years ago one morning when she was sitting in the Butchart Gardens coffee shop after her walk around the gardens. She was sitting on her own with a cup of coffee reading a book. I noticed she did this on a regular basis, so one morning I stopped by her table and asked if she would like some company, she looked up and said “yes, that would be lovely” and as they say in stories “and the rest is history”. From then on we met at the coffee shop daily to have our coffee and chat.
Over time we met and made new friends and it became a regular daily routine. We had lots of laughs and shared many stories and supported each other through the Covid years. I miss her terribly and appreciate her friendship and through her have made new friends.
Rest In Peace dear friend.
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Andrew Larcombe I worked with Teri at the Downtown Community Health Centre for many years. I remember her for her uncompromising dedication to those who came for healthcare support at the clinic. She respected the individuality of each person that she cared for. Her colleagues enjoyed the wisdom and good humour that she brought to each working day. Farewell Teri, you will be missed by all who knew you.
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Geri Beddows My husband, Dennis, and I met Therese almost three years ago. Like Therese and others, we are daily walkers at the beautiful Butchart Gardens here in Brentwood Bay, BC. We all walk separately but end up in the Garden’s coffee shop for coffee and a chat after our walk.
It is amazing how quickly the small group of us became very close friends. We shared details of our lives and families with each other and, of course, we always managed to solve the world’s problems. We shared common values and beliefs and supported each other through the COVID isolation.
As Eleanor Roosevelt said many years ago, “Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true fiends will leave footprints in your heart”. Therese has left deep footprints in my heart. I miss her terribly but I can honestly say my life is so much richer having known her. Therese was a loyal friend — genuine and authentic. We had so much fun; we laughed heartily and often!
To all of Therese’s family and friends, particularly to her son Denis and grandson Talin, our sincere condolences. May the love and support of your family and friends comfort and sustain you through this difficult time.
Go with our love, dear Therese.
Geri and Dennis Beddows
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Karen Wardill Therese was an inspiration to me as a young doctor just graduated and learning the ropes. I met her working at my first job in the East Side Clinic in the early 1980s… We became fast friends and she helped me more than words can say during a difficult time. She had such a giving, nurturing and generous heart. A true friendship is always rare to find and I cherished ours over the past 40 years. I will miss her greatly. My sincere condolences to the family.
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Catherine Evans Remembering Therese for her kindness and generosity.
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Michael Keller Listening to you and Wendy Saunders talk about your travels to South America inspired me to travel the world. We often don’t know the impact we have on others. Rest in peace.
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Lynne Jones I was very upset and shocked to hear of Terrys passing. Whilst I have not been close to her for some years, she was very special to me whilst I was in Vancouver and was always in my thoughts. She was very loyal and good to those both close to her and in need. I can’t believe I will not hear from her again and I will miss her greatly. Bless you Therese
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Wendy Sanders. THERESE,
BLESS YOU.
REST IN PEACE.
Wendy and Sue.
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Jerry cyr I was blessed to have worked with Teri in the downtown east side for a number of years. She was deeply compassionate and a fierce advocate for those requiring care in the community. Teri was the keeper of the book of all those we cared for who had passed away and she ensured that we honoured each one with a clinic service.
It was an expression of her incredible tender heart.
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Ann Maria OSullivan To a very special lady in my life. I will remember all the good times times we spent over the last 50 years. You will be missed.
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Moe Garahan I met Therese in 1994, and am her distant cousin, with our roots shared back to Ireland. As a young person starting out in the workforce at that time, I was very inspired by Therese, including the care and commitment she brought to her community health work in Vancouver, and adopting/raising her son as a single working mom. Her love of gardens is certainly a shared family trait. Sincere condolences to all her loved ones.
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Kathy McCarthy I still can’t believe Therese has left us. She was a friend for about 50 years and I will really miss our chats. She suffered too much at the end and I’m glad she’s now at peace.
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David Bless you, Therese.
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Maureen Duffy Thank you for being my friend for the last 70 years.
So many happy memories that will never be erased.
So long dear friend – been good to have known you!
Maureen, Pat, Paul, Neil and Sara
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Mike and Bernadette Chapman We’re so sad to hear about Therese’s death. She was such a good friend and we will really miss her! Our sincere condolences to her family.
Thanks for the memories dear friend.