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
19 Responses
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.
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
THERESE,
BLESS YOU.
REST IN PEACE.
Wendy and Sue.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Bless you, Therese.
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
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.