Mary Theresa Quinn DeFatta, "Teri"

Mary Theresa Quinn DeFatta (Teri), 62, passed away at M.D. Anderson Hospital, Saturday, November 25, 2023. Teri was born on August 13, 1961, in Shreveport, Louisiana to Patrick and Joan Quinn. She was raised in Shreveport where she lived her entire life. She was a member of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church and graduated from St. Vincent’s Academy in 1979. She was preceded in death by her parents, Patrick Cornwell Quinn and Joan Quinn Doke. She was also predeceased by her half-sister, Sarah Quinn. Teri is survived by her husband of 42 years, Mark. She is also survived by her brother, Tommy, brothers-in-law, Steve and Jeffrey, Uncle John & Aunt Mary Anderson, cousin and “sister,” Grace Dorsey, children, Melanie and Quinn Hall, cousins, Hugh Cassidy, wife Mary Leigh & family, Quinn Cassidy, wife Michele & family, John “LJ” Anderson, wife Jen & family, Joel Anderson, wife Jennifer & family, as well as JoAnn Daly, husband Jim, Austin Quinn, wife Christy, Karen Copeland and Michael Quinn and many other aunts, uncles and cousins through marriage. In addition, she is survived by her very special friends, Scott and Sheila Pernici and their children, Thomas Pernici & wife Chelsea and their sons John and Leo, Nick Pernici & wife Bailey and daughter Penny and Sam Pernici. Teri was a dear, sweet, and kind soul. She volunteered through different times in her life and believed it was important to put others first. She showed kindness to everyone she encountered, stranger or friend. She would always go out of her way to give a smile or small compliment to people she met. She believed it was important to say something nice to the people who crossed her path in her daily life. She often said, “You don’t know what someone is going through, and a kind word might change their day.” Her heart was huge, her smile was bright, and she was a beautiful person inside and out. Teri was the ultimate homebody and loved spending time in her home and yard. She enjoyed gardening and simply looking out her windows at the flowers, birds and the backyard she helped create. The simple things made her happy. She had a love for travel which she got from her mom. It didn’t matter how small the trip was; she would make the most of it. Two weeks of preparing and list writing for a 2-day trip. That was Teri. My wife, Teri, and I did almost everything together, and no time together was enough. She gave me a wonderful life, and it was a blessing sharing the time we had. Forty-two years was just too short. Without her, the sun will not shine as bright, the moon will not be as full, and the flowers will not bloom as beautiful. I will always love her and miss her. As Jimmy Buffet wrote in a song, “It’s been a lovely cruise.” A quote from E. E. Cummings “I carry your heart (I carry it in my heart)” A memorial service will be held for Teri at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 204 Patton Ave., Shreveport, Louisiana, on Saturday, December 2 at 10:30 in the morning. I would like to thank the staff at MD Anderson, especially in the palliative care unit, for their help and caring during a difficult time. In lieu of flowers, Teri’s wishes were for a donation to be made to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital or M.D. Anderson Cancer Clinic.

Mary Theresa Quinn DeFatta, "Teri"

August 13, 1961 - November 25, 2023