Theresa Jean was born November 30th, 1961, the seventh child of Benita and Hernando Meńez in Manila, the Philippines. She spent her childhood following her siblings footsteps into Catholic school, in a household that highly valued education. Theresa and her mother joined her sister in Michigan before settling in the Kansas City area during her middle school years. She graduated from Blue Springs High School in 1980. She met her future husband, Ed, while attending Penn Valley Community College. Theresa and Ed were married July 12, 1986, recently celebrating their 37th anniversary. Theresa went on to receive her bachelor degree from UMKC, before completing work toward her masters in library science at the University of Missouri. She enjoyed working at the University of Missouri School of Journalism library before spending a number of years at the UMKC Law School Library. Theresa accomplished all this while fighting a lifelong battle with chronic kidney disease. Despite her own hurdles, Theresa became an advocate and patient presenter helping new patients with the decisions required when starting dialysis. She had a generous and empathetic heart for anyone that struggled. On August 23, 2023, Theresa passed from this life in Columbia, Missouri. She was 61 years old. Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Benita and Hernando and brother Grays. Theresa is survived by her husband Ed Simms, her siblings Lee Meńez, Nel Cayetano, James Meńez, Nits Andres, and Rose Pronstroller.
A memorial service will be Monday August 28, 2023 at 10:00 AM at Meyers Funeral Chapel in Blue Springs, MO followed by inurnment at Blue Springs Cemetery. Memories of Theresa and condolences to the family may be shared at meyersfuneralchapel.com.
May Theresa rest in eternal peace in the loving embrace of auntie Benita, uncle Erning, Grays, Mom, Lolo and Lola. Madami na ang angels natin.
May happy memories of her blessed life sustain you all in the challenging times ahead.
My condelences to Theresa’s friends and family. Our prayers are with you as God comforts you as Theresa joins our Father in heaven.
Vincent and Juanita Lopez
She was one of my favorite people in school at blue springs. Always kind .