Theresa Stroy Memorial Service

How do you remember another person in your life who is no longer here on this earth? Maybe it is a moment the two of you shared that is forever etched in your memory. Maybe it was through a kindness or act of compassion toward you, that connected you at a heart level. Maybe it is an attribute, a character quality that you admired in their lives that will forever inspire you to live a more meaningful and purposeful life. Maybe it is all that and more on a journey you have shared over a lifetime.

Memories are most often captured in pictures, stories, and songs and this morning, we have had a glimpse into the life of Theresa Stroy through them. But those who knew Theresa at a different level want to open their hearts to us this morning to share their thoughts and to honor Theresa as a wife, a mother, a friend, and a grandmother.

Words from the family … Summer wrote - If I were to sum up Theresa in one word it would be compassionate. She was one of the most compassionate, kind and loving people I have ever known. She taught me about forgiveness in my early 20s. It was a lesson I didn’t want to learn. I could be stubborn and self-righteous at that age. Yet she was patient, nodding her head and gently smiling as I pleaded my case. It took me 10 years to learn how to truly forgive and as it finally clicked, I remembered all she had said and that kind smile and gentle nod. She calmly guided me on how to be a mother, giving advice but never interfering. She loved my children with her whole heart. They always knew how much she loved them. We love her equally and she is greatly missed. Junah, Macii, Kaedin, wrote - Our grandma’s essence was pure love. She was known for the tenderness and kindness she poured into this very world. She was someone that would always forgive, no matter the situation she was always ready to extend an olive branch. Her smile and warmth brought joy into every circumstance. Growing up is hard, but we always knew we could depend on her to be there for us. She would be waiting, unfailingly, to pull us into her arms. In her presence was peace. That was her effect on us. She had the ability to make everything disappear, leaving us to experience her genuine affection. We knew we always belonged. Our grandma walked this earth and never wasted an opportunity to show love. We know she is with us and cheering us on from heaven. Her love persists in us. In her we saw kindness and grace and we hope that that same kindness and grace will be reflected in our own lives. As we are surrounded by love she will never leave our side. No matter the occasion or future milestone her memory will have a dignified presence. Our grandma will exist in every moment, in the pride surrounding us when we graduate or to a possible future of walking down the aisle, and one day to having our own children. Love overcomes and she embodied love. So, as we go into this world our wish is that we remember the woman, mother, and grandma who taught us to surrender to love and that love conquers all.

Brandin wrote … Thank you all for being here today to celebrate the life of my beloved mom. Mom was my protector, my guide, and my biggest supporter. From the earliest days of my life, she always saw me as her little boy, and her love for me was unwavering. During a difficult time, she shielded me from harm, ensuring I grew up in a safe and nurturing environment. For that, I will be forever grateful. Throughout my life, she taught me important lessons. She showed me how to dress for any occasion, always emphasizing the importance of dignity and respect. Her kindness and compassion extended to everyone around her, regardless of the situation. Her selflessness and generosity were truly remarkable.

As a musician, I was blessed to have her as my biggest fan. She always told me I could accomplish anything and stood by me through every life choice, offering her unwavering support. Her belief in me gave me the strength to pursue my dreams.

I find comfort in knowing that she is now with my Heavenly Father, no longer suffering through the challenges of this world. There is no more sickness and pain for her. I know she is enjoying being in the presence of the Lord, basking in His love and peace.

As we remember her today, I hope we can all carry forward the values she held dear: love, compassion, and unwavering support for one another. Though she may no longer be with us in person, her spirit will live on in our hearts. Thank you, Mom, for everything. You will always be cherished and remembered.

Nashira wrote …

From the day that she brought me home from the hospital, until the day that she went home to be with the Lord, my mom was always teaching me. Even though she is gone, her presence is always with me, and the lessons that she has taught me will always guide me through my journey of life.

Felton wrote …

My wife Theresa was possibly the best living example of the 1st Corinthians 13, that I have ever personally witnessed.

If I speak with human eloquence and angelic ecstasy but don’t love, I’m nothing but the creaking of a rusty gate. If I speak God’s Word with power, revealing all his mysteries and making everything plain as day, and if I have faith that says to a mountain, “Jump,” and it jumps, but I don’t love, I’m nothing. If I give everything I own to the poor and even go to the stake to be burned as a martyr, but I don’t love, I’ve gotten nowhere. So, no matter what I say, what I believe, and what I do, I’m bankrupt without love.

Love never gives up. Love cares more for others than for self. Love doesn’t want what it doesn’t have. Love doesn’t strut, Doesn’t have a swelled head, Doesn’t force itself on others, Isn’t always “me first,” Doesn’t fly off the handle, Doesn’t keep score of the sins of others, Doesn’t revel when others grovel, Takes pleasure in the flowering of truth, Puts up with anything, Trusts God always, Always looks for the best, Never looks back, But keeps going to the end. Love never dies.

Felton goes on to say - I think that she honestly believed that if we were patient enough and that if we were kind enough, that we could solve all the world’s problems. She loved her kids and her grandkids fiercely, and always thought that they were the best. And some of you who knew her, know that she even thought that your kids were the best as well. You should see all of the things that are still hanging from our refrigerator today!

Some of you know that Brandin once toured with the local Christian rock band Moriah. When Moriah would come to town, they often needed host homes to use as home base, as they prepared for coming tours. While the guys were over for dinner one evening, they mentioned needing a host home, and with Theresa in the room, I kind of knew where this would go. I tried to quickly remove myself from the room, but Theresa was hot on my heels. So yes…we became one of the new Moriah home bases.

Mind you we were talking about multiple families, for multiple months, …now part of our family. But that’s the Theresa I loved. That’s how she loved. Theresa truly thought that those kids (ours and yours) were the best.

Those are such precious, powerful and perfect memories of a life well lived. We grieve the passing of Theresa Stroy. There is a deep aching reality that someone we love and hold so dear is no longer with us. But, like every story, there is something that changes, a twist in the plot that surprises us and causes us to realize that something good is about to happen, hope is not lost, there is a way forward.

Theresa loved because she experienced a greater love. 1 Corinthians 13 in the message translation which Felton referenced says …

Theresa loved because she had experienced a love that only comes from a personal knowledge and experience with Jesus. That love allowed her to live with a hope that transcended her circumstances.

Theresa had hope and now her hope is fulfilled in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus, the one who came to give his life for you and me, so that we might have life eternal with our creator God. Theresa is with the Lord because the Lord was with Theresa.

As many of you no, as her son Brandin alluded to, Theresa’s last few years have been filled with physical health problems that may have limited her day-to-day life, but not her capacity to love. She loved in the same way she had been loved by God, unconditionally, extravagantly. Her love overflowed to family, friends and her community.

Theresa would want all of you to find comfort in Christ and in the knowledge that she is no longer suffering in this physical body.

I think that as great as being with Christ is right now for Theresa, there is still a desire that she has, a hope yet fulfilled. That is … that all of you in this room and watching online, all of you who knew her or even might hear of her love, life and passing, might do one thing … response in faith to the love that God has shown you.

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. John 3:16–17

That’s what God did for Theresa and for each of us. Loved us from death life to death to live. But what must we do to join Theresa for eternity? The Apostle Paul writes to the church at Rome these word …

If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart, one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. … For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” Romans 10:9–10,13

A life well lived begins with a faith in Jesus and all that He has done to give you life, now and forever!

Will join Theresa on her mission with Jesus to love those in your life the way God has demonstrated his love for you? So that one day you will stand in the presence of God and here those words, well done good and faithful servant, enter into your reward. And there, in the crowd will be Theresa, her smiling face standing watching, waiting to embrace you and welcome you into your eternal home. Where we all will be in the presence of our loving Lord.

Until that day, let us live a life of faith, hope and love … all are important, necessary and part of the life of every follower of Jesus … but love, oh that love … now that is the true and final mark of our lives. How we love. For Jesus summed up this life so well …

And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. Matthew 22:37–39

Receive in faith what God has done in love so that you can live a life of loving God and others! Then what Theresa did in this life will live on in what Christ does in your life. As Paul wrote

What you sow does not come to life unless it dies. And what you sow is not the body that is to be, but a bare kernel, perhaps of wheat or of some other grain. 1 Corinthians 15:36-37

Theresa’s life is a seed and, in her death, who knows what might come forth in your life because of her witness, testimony and love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus. Then we are told that one day …

What is sown is perishable; what is raised is imperishable. It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. 1 Corinthians 15:42-44

“Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is your victory? O death, where is your sting?” The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 15:50-57

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