Theresa Erma Willis (Pearl)'s Obituary
Theresa Erma Willis (Pearl) born on July 26th 1947, passed away, peacefully surrounded by family on September 23rd, 2023.
“Terri” as everyone knew her by, was born in Mt. Clemens and raised in St. Clair. She graduated from St. Clair High School in 1965.
She worked hard her whole life. She worked at Groff’s Drugstore for many years and retired from Rite Aid in Richmond. She loved her co-workers there.
She raised three children as a single mother until she met her husband of 39 years, Lee. He cared for her and was by her side during her final days.
When she wasn’t working, she enjoyed spending time with family, gardening, camping, and the outdoors and shopping with her mom. When the grandchildren began to arrive, she loved being a grandmother. For every football game, band event, graduation, she was there.
She loved animals. She doted on her furry grand-babies as much as her human ones.
After her retirement, her favorite things were sitting on her porch listening to the birds, watching the wildlife and reading, or floating in her pond. She loved music, especially, Bob Seger. Whenever we hear his music, we will think of her.
Every Christmas, she prepared a most epic Christmas morning breakfast. It will never be the same.
She is survived by her husband, Lee Willis; mother, Dorothy Pearl; sisters, Linda Stephan, Kathy (Jess) Delisle and Mary Pecor; children, Barbara (Shawn) Weiss, Jason (Ashley) Kish, Bonny (Rick) Smit. Lila Eakins, Lee Willis Jr.; Grandchildren, Tyler (Brittany Thompson) Kish, Andrew, Joshua and Lee Smit, Colton and Dillon Pilon, Mandy (Phil) Schwarzentraub, Jessica Wagner, Joshua Eakins, Kendra and Ryan Willis, Aaron Nance; Great-grandchildren, Will, Jason, Judah and Rado; Many nieces and nephews and extended family.
She was preceded in death by her father, Freddie Pearl; daughters Bonnie Lynn Kish and Elizabeth Hilliker; niece, Holly Whitaker; brother-in-law, Jim Pecor, and furry companions, Max, Molly, Jake and Cloudy.
Special thank you and appreciation to Harbor Home Health and McLaren Hospice for providing mom with such great care so she could remain home during her final days. Also, a special thank you to Spencer, the EMT that was so compassionate and caring for her husband during such a difficult time.
Cremation arrangements with Young Funeral Home, China Township. A celebration of life will take place on Sunday, November 12, from 1:00 to 5:00 p.m. at the DTE Clubhouse inside of the Belle River Power Plant. There is no need for special permissions to attend, all guests are welcome to drive in. Signage will be provided to let guests know where to park.. In lieu of flowers, donations are suggested to St. Clair High School band or football. She loved her Saints or to any local animal shelter. To leave a message of comfort visit www.youngcolonial.com
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