Teresa LaVina McGrath

1922 - 2017

Teresa LaVina McGrath obituary, 1922-2017, Bremerton, WA

BORN

1922

DIED

2017

FUNERAL HOME

Miller-Woodlawn Funeral Home

5505 Kitsap Way

Bremerton, Washington

Teresa McGrath Obituary

Published by Legacy Remembers on Dec. 28, 2017.

Even a long life is too short. There is a place in our hearts reserved especially for you. We are comforted to know that you are at peace and with those that have gone before you. Your parents John Nathanial McLean and Marta Agnes(Fitzgerald) McLean, your brothers John and Jerry Mclean and sisters, Catherine Stanton, Maureen Newcomer, Jude Campbell, Sr. Bridgid McLean, Jeanne Weisgerber and your Son, Michael McGrath.
You will be remembered lovingly by your children, Helen Leach and her husband Steve (San Clemente, Ca), Teresa Eakle and her husband Kemper (La Quinta, CA), Colleen McGrath (Bremerton WA), Kim Carpenter and her husband Bill(Bremerton WA) and Brendon McGrath (Palm Springs CA), your Grandchildren, Stephen Leach, Sarah Leet, and Michael Leach and his wife Alex, your Great- Grandchildren, Lennon and Bennet Leach, your brothers and sisters, Len McLean (Coeur d'Alene ID), Bob McLean (Arroyo Grande, CA), Aggie Hamman, (Bakersfield CA) and Vivian Messbarger (Torrance CA)
Teresa was born and raised in Outlook Montana. At the end of her life, when dementia had erased so many memories, she reminisced often about her years in Outlook on the Farm with her Family. She often spoke of her gentle Dad and loving mom. She remembered her brothers and sisters and the fun they had growing up on the farm. This was home for her. Her phrase of the day when she moved to Washington was "I'm not cold, I'm from Montana!"
After the depression and during WWII, her family left Outlook and moved to Los Angeles California. As a young woman, she worked at North American Aviation as a Rosie the Riveter for four years. After putting down the Rivets, she worked as a telephone operator, "number please" for several years.
Teresa had a busy life, caring for her family, volunteering and working various jobs. She was a "Head Start" Bus driver in PA & MA, a Van Driver at Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in MD, cashier at the Photo Booth in CA, and did laundry for the restaurant where her daughter, Teresa, waited tables.
She lived her life with a Strong Faith in God and love of the Catholic church. Every place we moved, she was active in the church and community. She volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and brought communion to the nursing home and assisted with set up for the weekly mass. She was referred to as the energetic little lady. In addition, she also volunteered in the parish food bank and served as housekeeper at the parish rectory. When she lived with her sister Maureen, they both were very busy as volunteers in the church. She and Maureen also volunteered working the voting polls. She reminisced about her time at Maureen's as one of the best times during her life.
Her love for her family was equally as strong as her faith. She rarely gushed with emotion, but she demonstrated love every day. She made sure we always had clean clothes to wear, packed our lunches every day, while making oatmeal (or sometimes lumpy cream of wheat) for breakfast. That was after getting up hours before us to shovel coal into the furnace, so we didn't freeze while getting dressed for school. She drove us to catechism, church, school, girl scouts, band, golf, baseball and in search of lost
animals. She helped us take care of dogs, cats, guinea pigs, fish, turkeys, rabbits, horses, burros, cows, bulls, Shetland ponies, sheep, and pigs.
With every relocation (12 moves with children in school), she made sure we were home in our new house. We always had a welcoming home. No matter how confusing or scary it was to start all over in a new school, she made sure we could leave our troubles at the door and find love and understanding inside our home. We had fun bowling, playing softball or badminton in our yard, riding horses or the burro- she loved to be a part of all of those things. She was home for us.
She always loved the Dodgers- She cheered every year for them and this year they did not disappoint (as much)-they made it to the World Series and even though they lost to Houston, she was excited to see them in the Series!
She was a long -time member of the Republican National party. She believed and strongly impressed upon her children their civic duty to vote. She voted in every election up to her 95th year. She read the newspaper daily-baseball scores first, then the news and then the crossword puzzle.
In November 2017, she was honored by the Washington Women in Trades (her and the other Rosie Riveters) for paving the path for women in the trades. The "Rosie's" are featured in the 2018 calendar. Mom became a calendar girl at the age of 95. She never looked more beautiful than she did that evening holding her rose and posing for pictures.
Her Grandchildren and Great Grandchildren always put a smile on her face. She called Sarah – her little buddy. She was her little travel buddy- going to North Dakota a couple times, Massachusetts and all over California. She looked at pictures of her Great Grand Children with so much love and pride. She would always remark on what a great Dad Michael was to those 2 little boys. Stephen was her first Grand child and she spoke of him with great pride and a big smile- she loved him so much. He could always make her laugh with his silliness.
At the end of the day, we shall always remember Mom sipping her Gin martini with three olives while cheering on the Dodgers.
We will celebrate Teresa's life with her family and friends at a future date. The funeral and Rite of Committal will be held in Arroyo Grande California.

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February 12, 2018

Maureen McLean

We lost a good one when Aunt Teresa left us. She's on to a better place and we're left behind to cope with the loss. Love and prayers to all of you McGraths. May God bless.

February 11, 2018

To you my nieces, I remember our last visit with joy and laughter. When Martha brought me for a visit all of you, and then drive to visit with Uncle Leonard.
Love and prayers, Aunt Vivian

January 16, 2018

To my dear sweet momma. I love you so much and you will always be in my heart. I will always be thankful to you for the greatest gift of faith to me and my brother and sisters. God is so good and mommy you were so loved by many especially by me. I miss calling you and hearing your voice and our laughs together. Sleep tight my angel momma! Love and hugs and kisses your daughter, Helen

January 16, 2018

Ruth Neuenswander

Aunt Teresa, I will always remember how you called me just to see how I was doing some weeks after my Mom passed away. I thought that was such an unexpected and loving act of kindness. It really touched my heart then and even thinking of it now, my heart is so filled with gratitude and appreciation. I will always remember your sweet laugh and smile and your hugs. Ever since I heard the news, I've been thinking of the beautiful reunion going on up in heaven...and to think it was happening on Christmas Eve. Merry Christmas Aunt Teresa. May God bless all of your friends and loved ones until the day we will see you again. I love you, Ruthie

January 16, 2018

Pati Moser

Aunt Teresa. I am so glad you made it to the reunion this year. I know it was a long journey but it meant so much to all your relatives to have you there. It is such a blessing to be a part of this McLean family. In the photo I added from the reunion, your beautiful face shows such contentment and peace, and also a sly little smile where you might be hiding a secret. May peace be with you.

Posted by Pati Moser

January 16, 2018

Teresa Lewis

Aunt Teresa: We will all miss you, your sweet smile and kind eyes. You did an amazing job raising such loving and caring children. I'm so glad they were able to spend time with you throughout the years and we were able to spend time with you at the McLean Reunions. We will all see you again. Love to you and your family.

January 16, 2018

Juliana Messbarger

Aunt Teresa, I will miss your smile and your laugh. I remember many visits with you throughout my childhood...in your homes in Maryland & San Clemente; at the homes of my Mom , Aunt Jude, Aunt Maureen, & Uncle Bobby. I loved that you called my Mom during Dodgers games to discuss the excitement & disappointments. I am so thankful to Uncle Bobby's family for starting the annual July reunions! My last memory of Aunt Teresa was at Uncle Bobby's in July. Even though she had dementia, when she saw my Mom & Uncle Bobby her face lit up with a big smile & she said I know you. I love you Aunt Teresa.

January 16, 2018

Mark Messbarger

Aunt Teresa, What a great lady! I am so glad that you came to the McLean's family reunions in July that started up about 5 years ago. It was great to get to see the Elders sitting up by the house watching all their kids, grand kids, and great grand kids (maybe even great great grand kids) having such a fantastic time. I am proud of our entire McLean extended family. You always were so kind to me when I came to say hi at the reunion. God has a great women with him now.

January 15, 2018

Thomas Ressler

She will greatly be missed !!! Hugs and prayers

January 15, 2018

kim carpenter

Oh Mommy I miss you so much. I miss your being so pleased to see all the leaves on our trees, and the flowers that would come up. I am thankful for learning what Grace looks like, as you showed me in your actions up to your last days. I have enjoyed you as my mom, and I am thankful for having you as my friend later in life as well. I miss you My "ride along buddy" I will miss our road and air trips we took together to visit and have fun. I am thankful for your strong faith, and your love of family. May God continue to Bless you.

January 15, 2018

Alex and Mike Frederick

I love your Washington catch phrase, "I'm not cold. I'm from Montana!"
What a beautiful tribute Mrs. McGrath. You sound like one hell of a lady and you have brought some pretty fantastic people to the planet. Thank you for that. Peace and love to you all-

January 13, 2018

Teresa Eakle

I miss you Mom and our daily phone calls at 4 o'clock happy hour..you were my mom and best friend all my life. You are loved by so many but with God now and at peace now. I have a big hurt in my heart. Love you and God Bless you xoxo Teresa's Teresa

January 13, 2018

Kemper Eakle

What impressed me most about Teresa McGrath was how very much her children loved her. What could be a better legacy than that? She never had much materially but as long as there was mass on Sunday, it was all she needed. God should be proud to have Teresa in his heaven.

January 12, 2018

Janet Vandergrift

She was a huge part of my life as her children and grandchildren are. I will treasure the good times,memories and laughter over the 30 plus years I was honored to have know gramma Grath. She was a strong survivor and made it seem so easy, even when things were tough she just seemed to take it in stride something I tried to adapt in my own life. She always had a smile when I saw her and it tickled me that I could always get her to laugh. She will be missed. May she Rest In Peace and watch over us.

January 12, 2018

Aunt Teresa, You were the next older sister to our Mom, Jude. She loved you so much- perhaps a bit more than some siblings- and appreciated your frequent talks on the phone the final few months of her life (ending in 2013- even though she was younger than you). I have memories of a few visits to our house in California- one specifically as you and your family prepared to move to Oregon. You brought humor to every situation in all your moves and adjustments in life. Remember our time in North Dakota celebrating Sr.Bridgit's 75th vows. Our whole family loved you so much and we love your children as we live beyond your legacy, Your loving niece, Charlotte

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