Therese Louise Grego

Therese Louise Grego born to Harry and Florence Valois November 7, 1930. She was one of 7 siblings. She grew up in Chicago, Il where she graduated from St. Willibrord Catholic High School. As a young teenager Therese worked at the Parkway Movie Theatre in Roseland beginning as a popcorn girl and advancing into the position in ticket sales. Early in her teenage years she already sought adventure. On one occasion Therese and her cousin decided to ride their bicycles across town several miles to experience their first airplane ride. They arrived at the small airport hangar, purchased their tickets from a pilot they had never met and went up for a bird's eye view of Chicago. Her parents had no idea.

In her late teens she was invited to a party hosted by a friend for a group of young Lithuania men who were in the city for work. Her friend encouraged her to attend because there were more young men than young women, a ten to three ratio. Therese finally agreed to come and met her future husband. They dated and married a couple years later. Therese was off on a romantic adventure, married and moving from Chicago to Oklahoma. She longed for a family of her own and after seven years of marriage they decided to adopt, first a son and then a daughter, three years later she was pregnant with a daughter. She enjoyed being a mom. She would take Joe for a buggy rides every day, morning, noon and night. She entertained with picnics in the yard, trips to the movie theatre whether walking through the neighborhood or riding a bus to see the movie. After time she became the mom who took the neighbors kids too on outings, all without ever driving a car. She was the mom everyone gravitated to, everyone wanted to come by, hang out, she would feed them on their way to school and after school.

As Therese entered her 40's she longed for something more in her life. She found a new, deeper relationship with Jesus Christ. She read her Bible daily and began to branch out to new experiences within non-denominational religions. She was growing deeper in her love for Christ. Therese felt she was called to witness to all. Her desire to share all she had experienced through her relationship with Christ she now wanted to share with everyone. She created a one page, back and front list of her favorite "Words to Live By" so wherever she went and whoever she ran into she would hand it to them as she witnessed for Jesus. She continued to do this for her entire life.

As grandchildren entered her life her focus turned to them, spending time with them, enriching them with a new adventure each time they were together. There were trips for pizza, parks, corny jokes, sleep overs at Granny's, overnight hotel stays or trips out of town to visit a museum. Her grandchildren were so comfortable with her they believed her house was theirs. Therese remained adventurous into her 60-70's. She enjoyed traveling to places she hadn't seen, planning with maps, high points to see, museums, history, etc. Once she arrived, she would hit the ground running to fit in as much as possible each day.

Therese was nurturing, affectionate, kind, loving and caring. She loved laughter. Her love for Jesus Christ was a reflection of her.

Her "Words to Live By"

A complete surrender to God: Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

Forgive me of all my sins. Thank you for your mercy and grace. I surrender all to you: My life, my heart, my body, my thoughts, my soul and my spirit. Do with me as you will. May my life bring you glory,

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

All things work together for good, to those who love God.

If God be for me, who can be against me?

God's love is greater than any circumstance that may come my way.

You are my God. You alone are the Lord.

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.

I am the Temple of God: He lives in me. The Father created me. Jesus died for me, and the Holy Spirit guides, guards, teaches and comforts me.

Prince of Peace, Jesus give me your peace.

May His name, Jesus constantly be on our hearts, thoughts and speech.

If my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray, and seek my face, then I will hear from heaven, and heal their land.

His name is wonderful. He is our Rock, our stronghold against the enemy.

When you pray, you are talking to God. When you read His word, He is talking to you. When you seek Him with all your heart He will be found.

Therese is predeceased by her husband Henry and her son Joe, her sister "Sister" Jannette and brother Don. She is survived by daughters Gail and Vicki, son-in-law Phil, grandchildren Joe, Roger, Heidi, Micayla, Chase, James and Kenzie, Great-grandchildren Taylor, Jojo, Brooklyn, Grady, Violet, Sally Ann, Ava Jayne, Ruthie Mae and Joy Faye.

 St. Theresa's Prayer: "Let nothing disturb thee, let nothing affright thee. All things are passing. God only is changeless. Patience gains all things. Who has God, wants nothing, Alone, God is sufficient!" "Eternal rest grant unto thee, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon her. May her soul and the souls of the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen"