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My wonderful sister Teresa O’Rourke Shapiro, has left this earthly space but her spirit always exist in my heart and the hearts of her family, friends, students, and all of those who knew her.
Teresa O'Rourke Shapiro and I were the two girls in a family of 8, with the best 6 brothers in the world. She was my friend, inspiration, and teacher. As my older sister she was supportive and generous with her love and time and always welcoming. She saw the best in people and always supported dreams. She has a wonderful husband and three children and who we all love so much.
Teresa had gentle soul, and the energy and wonder of a beautiful sunrise which shines light on the possibilities of all things and people. Tears could come to her eyes like a spring rain at a gentle gesture of kindness, or when my dad sang “ Danny Boy”, her smile was easy, and her laugh warmed you to the soul. Where there was dirt she saw a garden, where there was rain, she saw the nourishment for plants and to ability quench the thirst of the earth, Teresa valued people for who they are, she loved and sought knowledge, truth, relationships, music, dance, education, balance, and how they all were woven into this wonderful thing we call life.
She inspired me in most everything I hold dear and value-Stand up for what is right, make the world and your spaces a better place , for we all share this space called earth, help those who need a hand, always be willing to learn and question, and most of all love and make time for those who are close to you.
Inspirations, encouraging, adventurous, beauty, smart, curious, activist positive, daring hardworking spiritual kind generous nature musical dance, welcoming sensitive fun.
She could be like a thunderstorm but there was always a rainbow when it was over.
My Brother in Law, Kenneth Shapiro wrote the beautiful words below, they are about his wife and my sister. Her spirit left her body on the March 5th but that spirit will live in our hearts and souls forever and be seen in all the gardens, kind deeds we see and do and our effort to make this world we share a better place for everyone.
Teresa O’Rourke Shapiro
October 13, 1952 – March 5, 2022
My heart is in pain. For days, I have tried to put into words the feelings I have and the sadness I feel at the loss of my partner in life for the past 43 years. Teresa, was my muse, my soul mate, my inspiration each day, the glow in my heart as well as the mother to our children; Kevin, David, and Clare, whom she loved deeply. Teresa gave me family. A lot of family. At one point, she had 16 siblings! Six brothers, a sister, and nine step-brothers and sisters. Teresa loved long walks in the hills, Tai Chi, and dance. Oh, how that girl could dance. I could watch her for hours as she would weave a story with each movement. She was always filled with so much love. I was drawn to her silliness, warm smile, and laugh. She was my Lucy. Smart and sensitive, fair and compassionate, always lending a helping hand. She loved books, swings, puppies, and art. She expressed both her joy and her pain through her paintings. Her warmth and compassion were some of her strongest traits. Everyone she met or worked with including her students would be a friend for life. Time was irrelevant when she worked with her students. Her goal was to help each child break break-through to a new understanding. Teresa loved gardening. She spent thousands of hours as a Garden Angel installing gardens at elementary schools and helping the students to plant seedlings so they could watch them grow.
For eight long years, she fought against the Lymphoma that took hold of her body. Her tough Irish grit fought cancer until the end. With gentle loving grace, relaxed and knowing she was home, looking out at her garden, surrounded by her family, my sweet Teresa, the love of my life, passed away last Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to Camp del Corazon, TreePeople, or The Yosemite Conservancy.
We are planning a celebration of Teresa’s life for St. Patrick’s Day, a day she always loved. Please email levanrk@gmail.com for more information.
My Brother in Law, Kenneth Shapiro wrote the beautiful words below, they are about his wife and my sister. Her spirit left her body on the March 5th but that spirit will live in our hearts and souls forever and be seen in all the gardens, kind deeds we see and do and our effort to make this world we share a better place for everyone.
Teresa O’Rourke Shapiro
October 13, 1952 – March 5, 2022
My heart is in pain. For days, I have tried to put into words the feelings I have and the sadness I feel at the loss of my partner in life for the past 43 years. Teresa, was my muse, my soul mate, my inspiration each day, the glow in my heart as well as the mother to our children; Kevin, David, and Clare, whom she loved deeply. Teresa gave me family. A lot of family. At one point, she had 16 siblings! Six brothers, a sister, and nine step-brothers and sisters. Teresa loved long walks in the hills, Tai Chi, and dance. Oh, how that girl could dance. I could watch her for hours as she would weave a story with each movement. She was always filled with so much love. I was drawn to her silliness, warm smile, and laugh. She was my Lucy. Smart and sensitive, fair and compassionate, always lending a helping hand. She loved books, swings, puppies, and art. She expressed both her joy and her pain through her paintings. Her warmth and compassion were some of her strongest traits. Everyone she met or worked with including her students would be a friend for life. Time was irrelevant when she worked with her students. Her goal was to help each child break break-through to a new understanding. Teresa loved gardening. She spent thousands of hours as a Garden Angel installing gardens at elementary schools and helping the students to plant seedlings so they could watch them grow.
For eight long years, she fought against the Lymphoma that took hold of her body. Her tough Irish grit fought cancer until the end. With gentle loving grace, relaxed and knowing she was home, looking out at her garden, surrounded by her family, my sweet Teresa, the love of my life, passed away last Saturday morning.
In lieu of flowers, please make a donation in her honor to Camp del Corazon, TreePeople, or The Yosemite Conservancy.
We are planning a celebration of Teresa’s life for St. Patrick’s Day, a day she always loved. Please email levanrk@gmail.com for more information.
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Jane White (Ward)
What heart break to lose Teresa. She was a beautiful person inside and out. We grew up in Glencoe and then on to NTE and of course church. The O'Rourke family were such a fun group to hang out with. Jane White Ward
Marea J. Stuhr (Yoswa)
I was so sad to read this news, but heartened to know Teresa was surrounded by so much love. I didn't know her very well at New Trier, yet we shared a moment in a crowded hallway between classes that I will always treasure. My brother, Rob, had died in a plane crash and I was a walking zombie back to school on the first day after the funeral. Teresa's beautiful face was among a sea of smiling, carousing, laughing faces but hers was different. We locked eyes and I saw & felt her compassion and empathy deep in my soul. I still see her face as it was at that moment and it comforts me to this day and beyond. I know she is an angel among us still.
Lauren 'Lakshmi' Rossman (Luster)
Teresa and I met in 7th grade at Central, and she quickly became one of my best friends. I loved that girl! I still remember chanting the entire line of O'Rourke siblings which rhymed so well: Barry, Terry, Mike, Mary, Patrick, Tommy, Jimmy, Johnny. I haven't seen her in many decades, but can still easily access her love of life spirit, and that special twinkle in her eye.