Theresa R Gaerttner

Theresa (Girmscheid) Gaerttner of Croydon, PA passed away peacefully at home on Jan 3, 2021 surrounded by her adoring family.  She was 89.

Preceded in death by her husband Hugh Gaerttner, Sr. and their beautiful daughter Susan “Susie” Marie, as well as her siblings:  Joe, Stella, Marge, Cass, Helen, Harry, Jim and Bob.  Theresa was the daughter of Gus and Stella.  Survived by her beloved children Linda Nally (Tom), Hugh Gaerttner Jr., Joyce Sayre, Brenda Rush (Kevin), Luanne Bilinski (Tom) and Tom Gaerttner (Amanda). She was admired immensely by her grandchildren Kim, Tina, Tom, Brittany, Ryan, Zac, Kevin, Brianna, John, Thomas B, Dillon, and Thomas G.  She also had seven great-grandchildren and many nieces/nephews who loved her dearly.

Theresa was a very unique and generous soul.  She was a caregiver by nature, and her door was always open to everyone.  In addition to taking in many family members, she and her husband were foster parents to over 140 children throughout the years.  Some stayed only a night, while others for years.  But you can guarantee they always left with more than they came with.  Theresa and Hugh gave their love to each and every one.

She was a strong willed, feisty, small & mighty lady who was extremely caring, funny and unpredictable.  She lived life to the fullest on her own terms, and always did the best she could with what she had.  Although her nicknames included “Knuckles” and her self-proclaimed “Bucket Mouth,” she truly had an enormous heart of gold.  If you knew her, you were blessed and a better person for it.  Her life revolved around her family every step of the way, always providing whatever she possibly could at all times.  She left her mark everywhere she went and changed the lives of so many people.  She was known for asking everyone for a hug because “they are free, and they feel good.”  She enjoyed sharing her life stories with anyone who would listen, and those stories were never ending.  

Her family will keep her memory alive forever, living life by her example.  Continuing to sing “You Are My Sunshine” to every new child born and remembering all of her famous sayings which were just as unique as she was.

They family would like to thank all of the amazing home care aides and hospice staff who took such wonderful care of her in the past few years.  They stepped in and helped tremendously once a huge part of her was stolen away by Alzheimer’s.  This was ironic since she remained so strong after the loss of a child and a husband, as well as surviving TB, breast cancer and a broken hip.  At the onset of Alzheimer’s, she knew something was wrong and would often say she had “some timers.” 

Services will be held privately at the convenience of her family.

In lieu of flowers, donations to St. Jude Foundation or Alzheimers Association in her memory would be greatly appreciated.