Teresa Lynn Donovan

Teresa Lynn Donovan age 34, passed away early Monday October 11, 2021 after a five-year battle with soft tissue Synovial Sarcoma Cancer which originated in her elbow and spread to her lungs. She was surrounded by family and love. Teresa was born to parents Mary and Greg on July 16, 1987 at St. Joseph’s hospital in Phoenix, AZ. She spent the first three years of her life in Phoenix, then resided in Glendale, AZ where she spent the rest of her formative years. Teresa was always happy, friendly & outgoing from her earliest days. She attended Copperwood Elem. and Peoria HS. She was a good student, who wanted to know everybody and tried every activity that was offered in both elementary and high school. This included; chorus, student council, many sports, FFA and other clubs. She excelled at softball and her activities in FFA included competing at a state and national level. After high school she attended Northern Arizona University, Glendale Community College and University of Colorado. Her original goal was to become a teacher, but she found her way into food service and loved it. She had a ten-year run with Carrabba’s Italian Grill restaurant where she worked and managed several different stores in both Phoenix and Denver. Teresa loved her work, her customers and colleagues, becoming friends with many of them. Customers would even follow her from store to store because she made them feel so special. In 2017 she was lured away by the Starbucks organization to work in management. She immediately fell in love with the company; it’s culture, and the attitude of the organization. Here she made a new family of customers and partners. It was more than just buying a cup of coffee when you went to a store managed by Teresa. Upon her passing, those she worked with posted a memorial to her and closed early one day to celebrate her legacy. The Starbucks organization is to be commended for maintaining excellent benefits and for the support they give to employees who are suffering from such awful diseases and terminal illness. In March of 2021, after it was obvious that she was no longer able to work, she moved back to AZ so her family could support her on this journey. She traveled and spent time with friends and family as much and as long as possible. Teresa wanted to do things her way and, in July, she had a HUGE wedding celebration of life. It was inspiring to see her celebrating in this way. It was her time to smile, dance, sing and party with everyone she loved and who loved her. More of us should celebrate life when we are alive and not just leave it up to our family and friends after we are gone. It was truly a night to remember. Teresa is pre-deceased by grandparents, Rita and Richard Johnson, Fred and Cherie Donovan, and many Great Aunts and Uncles who were a part of her life. She is survived by her parents Mary Donovan and Greg Donovan (Barbara Thompson), her sister Colleen Donovan, many aunts, uncles and cousins, and so many wonderful friends, all whom were special to her, especially those who were relentless in their care and love for her. Visitation: Monday October 25, 2021, 4-7:30 PM at Heritage Funeral Chapel 6830 W. Thunderbird Rd., Peoria, AZ. Funeral Mass: Tuesday October 26, 2021, 10 AM at St. Helen Catholic Church, 5510 W. Cholla Rd., Glendale, AZ. Inurnment immediately following at West Resthaven Cemetery, 6300 W. Northern Ave., Glendale, AZ. Teresa had requested that some of her cremated remains be spread in Cherry Creek (Denver, CO) and off Ocean Beach Pier (San Diego, CA) as well as inurnment. In lieu of flowers, please consider a gift to Hospice of the Valley (HOV.org) who provided incredible care for over 5 months to Teresa. We will be forever grateful to her wonderful caregivers, particularly in her final days. They are all angels on earth. Remember her smile, her beautiful eyes and that Teresa would want us all to live life to the fullest every day. As we miss her, let’s all move forward with her exuberance for life.