TERESA (Terry) MORTELL

(née Moroney)

January 17, 1934 - April 25, 2025

A Life Well Lived

Teresa (Terry) Mortell always possessed a strong spirit and exhibited this gift right to the end. Physically, she got to a point where her sheer stubbornness no longer got the job done; she found she had to rely on family, friends and the gentle care from her PSW to help keep her in her much loved home of 61 years. What initially seemed an obstacle became a blessing because she, herself, became more vulnerable, opening a space for greater truth and understanding. Teresa passed away on April 25th after a brief hospital stay following a fall.

Teresa had a happy life and felt exceedingly blessed to have had the opportunity to live out all her dreams. She had a satisfying career as a registered nurse while also enjoying family life. She had a lovely home, caring husband, 3 children, 8 grandchildren and 3 great grandchildren, all of whom she adored.

She loved many things — golf (mainly for the gardens, though she proudly had two elusive hole-in-ones), good food (she was quite a cook and loved hosting a crowd but equally, she would never turn down the opportunity to go out for a meal), and surprises (to give, but also to receive).

She had many passions, but above all, Teresa loved people. She was highly intelligent like all her siblings, endlessly curious, warm and engaging — a lively conversationalist who never let the truth get in the way of a good story. She delighted in company and rarely missed a moment, driven by what the family affectionately called her “extreme FOMO” — a deep need to be included.

Teresa embodied a creative and playful demeanour but it was her innate need to have a practical plan for the future that always shone through. She loved her garden and delighted in her regular inspection of its progress.

Spring was her favorite season — a time of renewal, hope, and growth. She was known to call friends and family just to announce that her daffodils had poked through the earth and would soon bloom. To Teresa, those bright blossoms escaping winter's grip were a perfect reflection of life’s promise. Her garden was a sacred space, and her joy in its progress mirrored her own enduring optimism. Like the bulbs she so admired, Teresa, too, was strong and resilient, quietly waiting for her sunny days.

Even though she lived in 4 countries and travelled a fair amount when her family had grown, Toronto was her garden where she set her roots and flourished.

In the last months of her life, Teresa deeply appreciated the many calls and visits from her friends and family near and far. She will be deeply missed but not forgotten by her children Sheila, Noreen (Dave), John (Emma), her grandchildren Declan (Leyla), Rory (Sayana), Dan, Sam, Sean, Niamh, Callum, Bethan and her great grandchildren Freya, Keira and Darima.

In honour of Teresa, please take a moment to enjoy the beauty of the spring flowers that she missed this year. One of the last things she saw was a picture taken of her garden’s first joyous daffodils and colourful hyacinth as they sprung into bloom for her Easter Sunday.

Teresa supported many causes but the one closest to her heart was Covenant House for Homeless Youth https://covenanthousetoronto.… if you wish to make a donation in her memory.

In Appreciation: It takes a community to make a full life, thank you to all who have offered support. The Mortell family would like to thank all who helped keep Teresa living in her home and to the 12th floor East staff at Humber River Hospital who were so kind and accommodating during Teresa’s last days.

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