The Reverend Deaconess Theresa Andronis passed into the Light on December 25, 2009, at the age of 75. Her five children from the Chicago area arrived in Reno a few days later to attend her memorial service and put her estate in order. Theresa’s children attended an anointing of her remains on December 31 and the memorial rite held to honor her life on Saturday January 2, 2010, at the Memorial Chapel of The Holy Child. The order for service included scriptural readings, eulogy, benediction of commital, and final blessing. The service was attended by members of The Community and her children. A banquet reception to celebrate the life of our departed Sister in Light was held in the vestibule following the service. The eulogy for Theresa was composed and delivered by the Reverend Canon Elizabeth Reece, with whom Theresa worked for many years at the Apostolic Chancellery. A transcript of the eulogy follows:
“Theresa was born Barbara Theresa Hanley of the Irish Hanleys of Chicago, on January 7, 1934. She was one of eleven children and a remarkable lady.
“She met Peter Andronis, a handsome Greek man in 1955 while in a sweet shop with friends. Not too impressed at first, she began to see a spiritual side in him which caught her interest. They were soon spending much time together, out dancing the lively tunes of the 50s, which she loved to do.
“To Theresa and Peter were born six beautiful children, James, Jeffrey, Tom, Chris, Honey, and Athena, and from them grandchildren and a great grandchild. With the exception of Jeffrey, who died when hit by a train at age 26, all of their children are present in the Chapel today.
“Theresa spoke of them all, each one. She would praise Jeffrey as a beautiful, tender soul, and she had a unique, confidential relationship with the late Bishop Savoy, who would often mention his name to her in reassurance that he was in a special place.
“The words of Athena Andronis reflect the love Theresa’s children had for her:
‘My Mom. How do I sum up in a few words to express what she meant to me. I want people to know that she was quick with a comeback and always made sure she had lipstick.
‘When I was little, before I went to sleep she would sing to me and tell me funny stories until I fell asleep. And, when she would leave for Reno every October for 10 days I fell asleep with her shirt or pillow just because she always smelled so pretty.
‘All my friends loved my Mom because she was so funny when she was being serious.
‘My Mom and I could talk hours, whether it’s on the phone or just being together. We laughed until we cried. We debated politics and TV shows. We agreed on religion.
‘She taught me to be strong when I was weak. She was my confidante, my strength, and my wisdom. I am who I am on the inside because of my Mom. She instilled values, morals, and manners, and taught that whether you were rich or poor, the only thing that mattered is to be rich in heart; always reminding me to protect the inner child in my heart, and to never let this physical world break me; to always know “Thy Self”.
‘My Mom could show me how to take a simple piece of paper and make it into something pretty.
‘She found the good in me, when I wasn’t being perfect. I remember all the stories of when she had so much fun with her girlfriends before she became a wife and mother. She loved the 40’s and 50’s. She loved to learn and read, and had wanted a big library of her own.
‘She found the strength of her Church when she was searching for more depth in her life. She wasn’t like any other Mother I knew.
‘She was so funny and never understood why. All people who knew her smiled or laughed from one of her comments. Her soul shined on anyone who met her. She is my Best Friend and my Golden Girl.– To people she was my Mother. To me she was My Ma!!‘”I will miss you until we meet again – In Light XOXO Moma” is how she would sign her cards.
‘I Love you Moma! I will never be the same, XOXO, Tina.’
“Theresa’s spiritual quest led her to The Community in March of 1979 at which time she enrolled in the Sacred Academy studying by correspondence from Illinois. In 1987 she received First Level Ordination into the Sacred College, and by 2007 she had received Third Level Ordination, becoming a Priest of The Community. By then, Theresa had been a member of the Reno Congregation for many years, performing enumerable Religious Services in the Chapel of the Holy Child and at the Red Rock Sanctuary open-air churches. She had also been a devoted staff member here at the Chancellery, sharing her strength, wisdom, and charm with everyone.
“Theresa was a Lifetime Member of the Andean Explorers Foundation & Ocean Sailing Club, receiving medals for her participation in journeys to Peru and Israel.
“She was on the Nominating Committee of the Advocates of Religious Rights and Freedoms, playing an important part in the enshrinement of some of history’s most spiritually inspiring leaders, such as the Mahatma Gandhi. She was a defender of both the spiritual seeker and the spiritual leader, and she was a defender of The Community. She was quick to help when times were financially difficult for the Church. On the eve of her passing into the Light she spoke of the importance of each member giving to assure the doors of the Church would remain open.
“Theresa was one of those very real people, a quick, delightful sense of humor was part of the realness. I believe we all experienced this–her clear view of life and all around her, and that she spoke her views for the purpose of making a difference, improving that which she cared about.
The following words are included from some of the many who knew and admired her:
Theresa and I were friends for 20 years, shared many happy memories together, one of the most was watching the sunrise come up over the Sea of Galilee in 1991. I will miss her companionship.– Nola Slevin, Reno
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I went on two international trips with Theresa – Jordan/Israel and Peru, and found her a very dynamic person. She seemed focused foremost on the goal of achieving immortality. It appears that she will be very much missed there in Reno, and surely her children will have the most special memories of her. She spoke often of her children.– Ruth Harris, Athens, Georgia
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Theresa let me stay in her home when I needed a place to live. That really made a difference for me. During that time she mentioned that she would really like to have an encyclopedia set. I found a used set of Britannica and presented them to her. She loved them. She would often sit and just read about things.
When my late husband, Lawson Crabb, was in rehab she visited and sat with him for a few nights. Her therapy for him was to joke and keep him laughing. When he was very sick and fading she entertained him. He enjoyed Theresa’s visits very much.– Carol Ann Crabb, Reno
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In the early moments of our acquaintance, both of us flying to Reno for the annual Convocation, I remember meeting my dear Sister of Light, Theresa. We immediately bonded, she had a nourishing, kind heart and spirit. I always enjoyed her beautiful Chicago accent, “Listen let me tell you”! We would share our “insights” of the “Morning Light.” Did you see that shape or the colors? You saw that!!! What do you think it all means? And so the conversations would go on. She always had a warm smile and a good laugh about her children. Each week it seem like one or the other would be her favorite, but in her heart she loved you all. “Listen, let me tell you,” and you always will, my dear “shot gun rider” Theresa. Blessings of Joy and Light.
— Greg Klinedinst, Reno
Working with Theresa was sheer pleasure. She always had a smile on her face. And in the midst of some of the Church’s most challenging times she would always remind me that “Everything happens for a reason” and “this too will make us stronger.” She had a way of making the harsh times seem easy and took it all with a grain of salt. This brought great comfort to me.
I admired her devotion to the Teachings of Light and enjoyed our many deep philosophical conversations. She loved the children and especially her granddaughter, Ariole, whom she spoke of all of the time. I know she will be missed, but now she is with the late Bishop Savoy, and Edith Forgy and Lawson Crabb, and all of our community members who have passed on to the Worlds of Light.” How lucky!
– LaCynda Doucette, Reno
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With deepest condolences. We miss her smile and kindness.– From All Members of the Cosolargy Institute of Japan.
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Dear Theresa, you represent to me the image of a very strong woman who takes the time to raise a beautiful family and dedicate the rest of your life to fulfilling your spiritual destiny. You were an example of tenacity and perseverance, and always reflected a positive image. For that we thank you.– Francine Petrovich, Reno
