Teresa Jean Hennessey

Teresa "Terry" Jean Hennessey, age 62 of Palm Desert, CA died August 26, 2012 in Rancho Mirage, CA of complications from a rare lung condition known as Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. She was born September 12, 1949 to John and Alene Stabenau in Los Angeles, CA. She married John "Jack" Hennessey on February 25, 1977 in Indio, CA.

After having a successful business career in Los Angeles that included owing a manufacturing company, Terry moved to the Coachella Valley and decided to make a career switch into Nursing. She graduated from College of the Desert's Nursing Program in 1982 and began a second career as a Registered Nurse. She worked at Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage and as an administrator of a Home Health Agency. In 1995 Terry began working at Open System Imaging where she stayed until her retirement in 2010.

Before becoming ill, Terry was a longtime member of Sacred Heart Catholic Church where she and Jack attended mass weekly. Terry loved serving the Lord and began each day praying for all of her loved ones. Those close to her referred to her as a "Prayer Warrior". She was an avid reader and writer and loved spending time with her family and friends. Terry was thoughtful, humorous, kind, wise, beautiful, strong, and a true woman of God.

She is survived by her daughter Kelly Grotsky of Palm Desert, CA. She was preceded in death by Jack Hennessey, her loving husband of 25 years who passed away in 2002.

Services will be held at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Palm Desert on Friday August 31st at 12:00 pm. A Rosary will be led at 11:30 am prior to the service. A private burial will be at Riverside National Cemetary. She will be buried with her husband Jack as she always wanted. The family suggests donations be made to the Cardinal Mindzenty Foundation (www.mindszenty.org)