Print Obituary
Share

Teresa R. “Terry” Foley

08/30/1941
08/20/2022

Teresa Rose “Terry” Foley, age 80, of Grand Rapids, died August 20 at Provision Living in Forest Hills. She was at peace, in the presence of family and under the care of Kindred Hospice at the end of a long illness.

Terry was born at home in Wyoming, Michigan on Aug. 30, 1941. She was the third of 13 children of Peter Hoogterp, a carpenter, and Dorothy Swem Hoogterp, a registered nurse. Her parents struggled financially — as they moved from the city to the country and back again — but passed along to Terry and her siblings a love of books and music, appreciation for the natural world, and a determination to support human rights for all people.

While embracing the joys of belonging to a large family, Terry also crafted a unique and meaningful life for herself. She was a teacher, a student, a mother, a deep thinker, and a life partner to her husband. She supported her children’s journeys into the worlds of music, drama, and business. She played guitar, read poetry and serious literature, and enjoyed tennis and other physical activities well into her 70s. The final chapter of her life was challenged by Parkinson’s disease.

Terry graduated from Kent City High School, received a bachelor’s degree from Aquinas College, and taught for several years at Cedar Springs High School. As part of her commitment to lifelong growth, she earned a doctorate in Clinical Psychology from Western Michigan University while in her mid-fifties.

She married John Patrick Foley, who survives her, in 1964 at St. James Catholic Church in Grand Rapids.

Terry and John’s home on Grand Rapids’ West Side was for decades a focus of activity for family and a large group of friends. They opened their home to many a traveler, and a shocking number of people have called that house on Willis Avenue home. Terry & John’s marriage continued for 58 years, and John was with Terry at her time of death.

Terry is survived by her three children: Kathleen (Manuel) Teodoro of Madison, Wis.; Edward (Kandi) Foley of Pensacola, Fla.; and Patrick (Paula) Foley of Grand Rapids; six grandchildren: Tess Teodoro, Antonio Teodoro, Erica (Tony) Sinelli, Kayla (Noah) Becker, Brett (Anna) Foley, and Gus Foley; and two great-grandchildren, Chase and Mary Sinelli.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents, and by siblings Frank Hoogterp, Thomas Hoogterp, Barbara Rowe and Mary Hoogterp.

Surviving family include: brothers Martin (Barbara) Hoogterp, Edward (Millie) Hoogterp, Daniel (Helena) Hoogterp, and sisters Joan Loveland, Ruth Ashley, Angela (Bobbie Rosencrans) Hoogterp, Sara (Michael) Yob and Sue (Doug) Shank; sisters-in-law Kathy Hoogterp, Betty Hoogterp, Linda Hoogterp, and Jen Brewer; cousins Paul (Laura) Slade, and scores of nieces and nephews from both sides of the family. Terry was also blessed with many deep and lasting friendships that pushed the boundaries of the term “family.” She will be profoundly missed by many.

Visitation and Funeral Mass

Please join us for visitation on Thursday, August 25 at O’Brien-Eggebeen-Gerst Chapel, 3980 Cascade Rd. SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49546, 2-4pm or 6-8pm (with a scriptural rosary at 7:30pm). A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for Terry on Friday August 26 at 10am at The Cathedral of St. Andrew, 215 Sheldon Blvd SE, Grand Rapids, MI 49503, with refreshments in the Parish Hall immediately following. We would love to see you there. If you would like to honor Terry in some way, consider a donation to the Blandford Nature Center, 1715 Hillburn Ave NW, Grand Rapids, MI 49504, where she spent many happy hours walking the trails and volunteering.

Make a Contribution

Memorial Contributions

Blandford Nature Center

1715 Hillburn Ave NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49504

Sign the Guest Book

8 Responses

  1. John and the beautiful Foley Family/Extended friends, please accept my most sincerest sympathies for dear Terry – May our Dear Lord wrap His Loving Arms around her, and her beloved family/friends during this time – much love and prayers, Kim (Mercatante) Lott xxoo

  2. Terry was a great person and a wonderful neighbor here at Hillburn.
    I will always be grateful for her kindness.
    My condolences to John and the family.
    Regards,
    David A.

  3. I will always remember Terry curled up quietly y in her chair, book in hand, wine glass near by, looking up as I entered her home with that beautiful welcoming smile of hers.
    I will always hold such fond memories of her and even at this moment can picture her curled up in a chair amongst the angels smiling down on us with that sweet, precious smile of hers.
    Rest In Peace Ter. I love you.

  4. Oh dear. So sorry for your loss, John and the entire Foley family (and to all who knew and loved Terry.) She was always kind and welcoming to me. Such a good human. My heart is with all of you. Peace, Love and Light,
    Teresa Thome

  5. John: So sorry for your loss. It has been a long road for you. Sorry I missed the visitation, but you are in my prayers. Hopefully we will cross paths on some future stage as we have in the past. You are loved.
    Dick Wylie

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Make a Contribution

Memorial Contributions

Blandford Nature Center

1715 Hillburn Ave NW

Grand Rapids, MI 49504