It is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of Teresa Wilkins, a cherished daughter, sister, mother, grandmother, and friend. Born on January 14, 1935, in Sutherland, Saskatchewan, Teresa passed gently and peacefully into the arms of her Lord on Sunday, June 30, 2024, with her three daughters by her side in Kamloops, BC.
Teresa loved the prairie home she grew up in and, although she felt a strong connection to her UK roots, she was a proud Canadian, honoring her parents’ choice to make Canada their new home. She had a strong work ethic, enjoying work at the Forestry Farm in Saskatchewan during the early ’50s. After marrying William Franzman in June 1955, she spent her younger years living and traveling with her Army-enlisted husband across Canada and Germany, while raising their 4 children. Later, she settled in Kelowna working at Dutch Dairy and then at Dairyland throughout the Okanagan, finally landing in Kamloops, BC, where she was close to her children’s families. She took great pride in being a homeowner, paying off her mortgage at 80 years old!
A lifelong sports enthusiast, Teresa played many sports, with baseball being her favorite. She played baseball from her teens into her 40s in Canada and Germany. She immensely enjoyed cheering and ‘coaching’ her Saskatchewan Roughriders, Toronto Blue Jays, and Vancouver Canucks, with family and a beer in hand.
Kind, compassionate, and feisty at every stage of life, Teresa’s sense of humour helped wherever life took her. She would help anyone, no matter her own circumstances. She enjoyed mincemeat pie, reading, puzzles, British TV shows, and playing Solitaire on her computer. Often, you could hear her singing and listening to her favorite music. Teresa loved driving and took frequent road trips to visit family. Her favorite flower was sweet peas, and her favorite tree was the prairie caragana.
Teresa had a unique talent for making everyone feel special and loved. She was never happier than when she was with her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Her nurturing spirit and kind heart were evident in everything she did, from the tender care she provided to her children to the wisdom and guidance she offered as they grew. Her home was a haven of warmth and comfort, filled with laughter, love, and the family’s favourite meals.
Teresa is predeceased by her parents, Arthur and Winnifred Wilkins, her sisters Nellie (Bill) and Vera (Reg), and her brothers Frank (Sybil) and Bob (Marg). She leaves behind her children Karen (Marvin), Allan, Linda (Brent), and Elizabeth; her grandchildren Samara, Ariel, Ty, Alexandra, Mackenzie, Tara, Maddison, and Jason; and her great-grandchildren Oliver, Sawyer, and Elias and our many extended family members in Canada and the British Isles.
While our hearts ache with the loss of Teresa, we find comfort in the beautiful memories she leaves behind and the profound impact she had on our lives. She was truly one of a kind, and her love will continue to inspire and keep us glued together every day. We are thankful that in her final moments she knew and felt that she was deeply loved and will be forever missed. May she rest in peace.
In lieu of flowers, the family gratefully requests that donations be made in her name to TB Vets or the Heart and Stroke Foundation.
The family also wishes to thank the staff of Kamloops Seniors Village for their gentle, genuine loving care and patience with Teresa this past year and a half. We also wish to thank Kamloops Funeral Home for their support and care of Teresa and her family.
Condolences may be sent to the family from
www.kamloopsfuneralhome.com
