Therese O'Leary

Therese Elizabeth O'Leary (Terri), age 71 of Spring, Texas, peacefully passed way surrounded by the loving embrace of family on Wednesday, September 12, 2018 after a long and valiant battle with cancer. Terri was born on January 31, 1947 to parents Elmer and Therese Buettner in Cleveland, Ohio and raised in Chardon, Ohio. It was while attending St. John's University that she met her one true love, Charles "Mike" O'Leary, on a spring break trip to Georgia, and began a life-long romance. She stayed in contact with Mike through letters when he returned to Vietnam for a second deployment with the United States Marine Corps. Terri became a school teacher in East Cleveland after college graduation, while Mike returned to civilian life and a job with the Southern Pacific Railroad in West Texas. After reuniting and a marriage proposal, they were married in Ohio on August 8, 1970, and she followed him to Texas to begin a new life and raise a family. These years in West Texas were some of the happiest for Terri, despite the challenges of raising a new family and the sacrifices made to secure a better future. Mike's transfer to Houston brought the family to Spring, Texas in 1977. Terri's unhesitatingly giving nature and passion for children propelled her to resume teaching with the Klein Independent School District at Benfer Elementary School. She then transferred to Ehrhardt Elementary School when it opened its doors in 1980. Her long tenure at Ehrhardt Elementary spanned 28 years, where she educated countless children while raising four of her own. Terri had a strong sense of civic duty and was active in the community throughout her life. Whether it was supporting the children's perennial extra-curricular activities, or involvement with various parent organizations, the neighborhood association, or Altrusa International, she was always determined to stand up, volunteer, be counted, and make a difference. The center of Terri's universe and what kept her grounded was family. Every holiday, birthday, and special occasion received her full attention, and every child and later grandchild benefited from her constant love and wisdom. Terri is survived by her four children: Michael, Bridget, Sean, and Timothy; three brothers: John, Paul, and Frederick Buettner, sister: Mary Rickey; ten grandchildren: Margaret, DJ, Jacob, Benjamin, Andrew, Daniel, Mateo, Audrey, Lucas, Lucia, and one great-grandchild: Tanner. Peace and serenity accompanied Terri during these last months because of her undying faith in God through Jesus Christ, and the knowledge that her children love each other and have loving relationships with their spouses: Roberta O'Leary, Ward Hammons, Cara O'Leary, and Lacrima Cosnean. Visitation will be at Addison Funeral Home in Spring, Texas on Tuesday, September 18th from 5 to 8 pm. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Edward Catholic Church in Spring on Wednesday, September 19th at 10:30 am. Internment will follow at Houston National Cemetery. The family requests in lieu of flowers and plants, donations be made to Altrusa International of Montgomery County, 18924 Casper Dr., Spring, TX 77379. The Addison family and staff extend our heartfelt condolences to the O'Leary family in their time of loss.