1928 - 2009
Teresa Mary Trentham (nee McLellan) beloved wife, mother, grandmother and great-grand mother passed away peacefully with her loving husband and family at her side at the Red Deer Hospice, Thursday, December 3, at the age of 81. Teresa was born and raised in Drumheller, the fifth of 13 children of Margaret and John Dan McLellan. A graduate of the University of Alberta Faculty of Education, Normal School, Terry began her teaching career in one - room schools with no phone, no electricity and a five mile walk to the Ghostpine Store. Terry taught in Calgary and Windsor before returning to Drumheller where she married Robert Sidney Trentham (Bob). There, she taught at St. Anthony’s School until her retirement in 1985. Terry and Bob were very active members of St Anthony’s Parish where she was particularly proud of her work in the R.C.I.A program. They traveled often. They loved their cross-country trips to visit family, particularly to Cape Breton. Terry was a doer, a life-long learner who loved teaching and sharing her knowledge. She enjoyed new challenges, from continuing her university studies and numerous creative pursuits, to sharing family history. She was the main caregiver to her elderly parents, a prodigious correspondent with family and friends as well as the gravitational centre for her family. She loved hosting her grandchildren in Drumheller or at Fairmont Hot Springs, the inspiration for many family stories. Terry’s energy, spirit and compassion will be deeply missed by her husband Bob (now of Red Deer); her children Rod (Wendy) and Tim of Red Deer; Gerald (Jeffrey) of Buffalo; Barry (Lambert) of Toronto; Martina Payette (Roderick) of Airdrie; and her grandchildren Rachel Peters (Clark); Annemarie, Jeramy, Geoffrey, Katelyn and Mitchell; and her great-granddaughter Gracyn as well as her many nieces and nephews. She is survived by her sister Catherine and her brothers Fr. Greg, Johnny, Anthony, Charles and Leonard. Terry was predeceased by her sisters Dorothy, Isabel, Mary, Patricia and her brothers Frank and Cyril. A Funeral Mass was held at Sacred Heart Parish, Red Deer on Thursday, December 10, 2009. Interment followed at Alto Reste Cemetery, Red Deer. Donations in Terry’s memory can be made to the Red Deer Hospice Society, 99 Arnot Avenue, Red Deer, Alberta, T4R 3S6. Condolences may be forwarded to the family at: www.eventidefuneralchapels.com. Arrangements entrusted to EVENTIDE FUNERAL CHAPELS, 4820 - 45th Street, Red Deer, Alberta. Telephone (403) 347-2222.
