Mary Terese "Terry" Coakley

Mary Terese "Terry" Coakley obituary, Tinley Park, IL

Mary Terese "Terry" Coakley

Mary Coakley Obituary

Visit the Vandenberg Funeral Home - Tinley Park website to view the full obituary.
Mary Terese "Terry" Coakley, born into life on March 4, 1949, and born into eternity on July 24, 2024, was a beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, sister, and friend. Terry was the devoted mother of Stanley Tencza (Cindy) and Brian Tencza (Julie), and the loving grandmother of Demitria, Bryce, Zachary, and Jacob. She was also the proud great-grandmother of Avery and Jace.
Terry was preceded in death by her parents, Joseph and Nancy Bigane, and her sister, Margaret Ann "Peggy" Richardson. She is survived by her brother, Joseph Bigane.
Terry dedicated over 40 years of her life to the nursing profession, where her compassion and commitment touched the lives of countless patients and colleagues. Outside of her professional career, Terry found joy in her many creative hobbies. She had a deep passion for crafts, including sewing, knitting, and ceramics, and she was an avid collector of bears, a hobby she cherished throughout her life.
Terry was known for her vibrant spirit. She had a way of instantly lighting up any room she entered, leaving a lasting impression on everyone she met. With her colorful clothes, purple hair, creative fashion choices, and bubbly personality, she was a joyful presence. She loved her friends and family dearly and filled her home with warmth, love, and kindness.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, a cause dear to Terry's heart.
Terry will be deeply missed, but her joyful spirit, love, and kindness will live on in the hearts of all who knew her. May she rest in peace.

To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.

Vandenberg Funeral Home - Tinley Park

17248 South Harlem Avenue, Tinley Park, IL 60477

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Donna Sheridan

September 14, 2024

Mary (Terry) and I first met when we opened Marshall Field's in Orland Square. I interviewed and hired the employees for our brand new store and Terry provided the physical fitness tests on those employees I hired. We became best friends and also participated in St. Michael's "Christ Renews His Parish retreat in Orland Park, IL together. We even swapped my 2 girls with Terry's 2 boys for a week so they'd appreciate their own mothers when they returned home. Don't really know how well that worked, but I never gave Stan & Brian a list of chores to do like my girls got from Terry. Terry was the smarter one! She'll be missed and my deepest sympathy to Stas, Brian, Joe and rest of family.

Donna Sheridan

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