Great grandmother, longtime Claremonter, devout Catholic

Longtime Claremont resident Theresa B. Kolodge, 97, died at her daughter Ann Marie’s home on Christmas Day.

She was born Theresa Barbara Price to a large Polish-American family on April 14, 1921 in Cloquet, Minnesota and was the last surviving sibling of 11 children.

Theresa (“Terry”) moved to Claremont with her husband, Edmund, and their five children in 1966, when she was 45. She lived here until 2005, when she moved in with her daughter’s family in Dana Point, California, following her husband’s death the year before.

She enjoyed the warmth of California’s sunny climate but greatly missed the many relatives, friends and family she left behind in northern and central Minnesota. She remained a Minnesotan at heart throughout her life but developed a deep love and appreciation for her adopted state of California.

As a devoted mother she was very involved in her family’s activities but always had time to lend a helping hand to a friend in need. Whether it was helping with a chore or simply sitting and talking over a cup of coffee, she was always available. She and her husband were devout Catholics and active members of Our Lady of the Assumption Church in Claremont, where they enjoyed many friendships.

Throughout the years her grandchildren and great grandchildren brought her a tremendous amount of pride and joy. She always had a twinkle in her eye when they came to visit her. She was mentally sharp and full of “spunk” well into her nineties, and an occasional trip to the casino still excited her to the very end.

She was predeceased by her loving husband of 59 years, Edmund, on July 13, 2004.

She is survived by her sons and daughters-in-law, Jeffrey and Cheryl, of Tigard, Oregon; Ross and Kathy, of Upland; Craig and Colleen of Carlsbad, California; Jon of Claremont; her daughter and son-in-law, Ann Marie and Larry Eckl, of Dana Point; eighteen grandchildren and 30 great grandchildren.

A rosary vigil will be held from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, January 6 at O’Connor Mortuary, 25301 Alicia Parkway, Laguna Hills. A memorial funeral mass will be held at 11 a.m. Monday, January 7 at St. Edward the Confessor Catholic Church, 33926 Calle La Primavera, Dana Point. A reception will be held immediately following mass in the church hall.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in her name to Marian Missionaries, P.O. Box 1401, Stockbridge, MA 01262, or directly to their website at marianmissionaries.org.