Theresa Catherine O'Rourke, 03 Aug 1921 - 09 Nov 2015

OROURKE, AGNEW, HEALEY, DAWSON, COSTELLO, HARRIS, HERR, HARTZELL, AZVERAL, STECKLY, SCHLEUSNER, MEWS, HEPP

Posted By: Sandy Ficken (email)
Date: 11/25/2015 at 14:54:19

THERESA CATHERINE O'ROURKE
North English

Theresa Catherine O'Rourke, one of the strongest, most beautiful women to walk this earth, was born on Aug. 3, 1921, in Dayton Township, Iowa, to John and Mary "Minnie" (Healey) Agnew. She witnessed and experienced more than any of us could ever begin to imagine and likely more than most of us would ever hope to in her 94 years on earth. Life well-lived is not without its moments of abundant happiness and also sheer sadness.

Theresa Catherine Agnew grew up during the Great Depression, the 10th of 14 children. She rode a horse to school when the weather permitted and her brothers would "drive" her to school with a horse and sleigh during the brutal Iowa winters so she could stay bundled up under blankets. She played on a basketball team in high school in Millersburg. As a teen, a man named Leo James O'Rourke came to her family's house to ask her on a walk. She later married him and together they had six sons: Jim, John, Joe, Jerry, Jeff and Jay. In 1972, she buried her husband, Leo, before all of their children finished high school.

Theresa was the primary caregiver of her eldest son for 46 years and part-time caregiver for her mother, sisters and many grandchildren over the years. She witnessed the marriages of five sons and celebrated the birth of 12 grandchildren. She then celebrated the marriages of 10 grandchildren and the birth of 19 great-grandchildren. She attended her son's, grandchildren's and great-grandchildren's sporting events and musical performances for seven decades. She was one of the greatest EV Bears fans the community has ever known.

She buried all 13 of her siblings, her husband, one son, one grandson and several dear friends during her 94 years. At 92, she fell, broke her hip and was not expected to make a full recovery. But she had too much living to do to give up and more ball games and music concerts to attend. She suffered a stroke that threatened to prevent her from writing and walking again in May 2015. She continued to fight and work hard to regain her strength. Within weeks she was signing her name and spent several Saturdays and evenings this summer watching her son, grandsons and great-grandchildren play ball.

Theresa had an incredible fighting spirit (sometimes aptly referred to as "stubborn"), a trait that has been passed down through several generations of her family. She was truly an example of strength, beauty, dignity and grace. She was also a woman of great faith, a devout Catholic her entire life, she continued to pray the rosary several times a day even in her final days, and never went to bed without her evening devotions and prayers. She was a member of Immaculate Conception (Armah) Church west of North English and later of St. Joseph's in North English, where she served many years on the Altar & Rosary committee. Her incredible faith was matched only by her love and devotion for her family.

Theresa was never concerned with holding a high position in this world, as she knew God's role for her, to serve as the best daughter, sister, wife, mother, aunt, grandmother, great-grandmother, caregiver and friend anyone could know. She also served her community in many ways, through her church and community service programs such as Meals on Wheels. By following Christ's example, she truly held the highest position of all.

On Nov. 9, 2015, her work on earth was finished and it was God's time to hold her in the palm of His hand. Her last three months of life were under the care of her family, the English Valley Care Center and her devoted caregivers, Linda Majerus, Sharon Rupard and Paul Moyer. She was surrounded by her family and friends and their love for her continuously during this time. They prayed with her, laughed with her and sometimes just sat silently with her. She indisputably earned her heavenly wings and will continue to look out for and pray for the intentions of her family from above where she will be reunited with her husband, Leo; son, James; grandson, Christopher John; parents, John and Mary; and 13 siblings, Anna Agnew, Mary Dawson, John Agnew, Margaret Costello, Emmett Agnew, Ethel Harris, Alice Herr, Harry Agnew, Bernard Agnew, Leo Agnew, Helen Hartzell, Charlotte Agnew and Bernadette Agnew.

Visitation for Theresa will be from 4 to 7 p.m. Friday, Nov. 13, with a rosary service at 3:30 p.m. and a wake service at 6:30 p.m., at Powell Funeral Home, North English. The funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, Nov. 14, at St. Joseph's Catholic Church, North English.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be given to St. Joseph Catholic Church, North English First Responders or Jim's Place. Messages and tributes may be left at www.powellfuneralhomes.com .

The sadness that fills our hearts is a direct result of the many, many years of happiness that this mother, grandmother and great-grandmother shared with her family.

She is survived by her five sons and their wives, John (Kathy) O'Rourke of North English, Joe (Joyce) O'Rourke of Geneseo, Jerry (Sherri) O'Rourke of Tipton, Jeff (Cindy) O'Rourke of Davenport and Jay (Gail) O'Rourke of North English; 12 grandchildren, Joe (Ashley) O'Rourke, Jason (Val) O'Rourke, Julie (Alex) Zaveral, Jen (Mike) Steckly, Brad O'Rourke, Kim (Jake) Schleusner, Jayme (Al) Mews, Justin (Melissa) O'Rourke, Josh O'Rourke, Jacob (Jane) O'Rourke, Jordyn O'Rourke and Eric Hepp; 19 great-grandchildren; and many nieces and nephews.

What a true blessing to have known and loved her for so long. The world as we know it will be forever changed. Theresa has all of the joys of heaven now and the Lord is closer to all of us as she will intercede for us. Thank you, Grandma.

The Gazette, Posted on Thursday, 12 November 2015, 9a
Journal Tribune, 18 Nov 2015, pg 9
The English Valleys Star, 18 Nov 2015, pg 4