Teresa Ann Jefford, 62, passed away Friday, April 3, 2015.
She was born in 1953 in Peoria, Ill., then moved to Aurora, Ill. where she attended grade and high school. She graduated from West Aurora High School in 1971, then from Illinois State University where she earned both a bachelor’s of education in 1975 and a master’s of education in 1977, majoring in special education.
Teresa had a long career in special education, teaching for more than 20 years in Aurora, Springfield and Normal, Ill. and in Gulf Shores.
Teresa took “early retirement” from her teaching career in 1995 and worked for Holy Spirit Church and Brett-Robinson Realty. She continued to pursue her interest in education, learning sign language to work with special needs children and also teaching English as a second language.
She was a woman of incredibly strong faith and loved her home church, St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Magnolia Springs. She shared her faith with others through service on her church’s vestry, as a Daughter of the King, Cursillo and other activities.
Teresa had recently moved to Orlando, Fla. to be near her family and was quickly becoming an active member of All Saints Episcopal Church in Winter Park, Fla. She most loved spending time with her family and many friends.
Teresa was preceded in death by her father, Lloyd Jefford.
She is survived by her mother, Dibby Jefford; her sister, Tami (Jim) Kaiser; and niece, Jennifer Kaiser, all of Orlando, Fla.
A memorial celebration of her life is planned April 16, 2015 at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Magnolia Springs.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorials go to a special education scholarship that will be created in Teresa’s memory through the Heart of the City Foundation at First Presbyterian Church of Orlando.
Arrangements by Robert Bryant Funeral and Cremation Chapel, Orlando, Fla.
