Obituaries

Teresa Schulz

Teresa (Terry) Elizabeth Lusher Schulz, 88, peacefully passed from our presence to the goal of her entire life's work on Monday, April 6, 2020, at her home with the Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington, D.C.

Terry, affectionately known as Nana since the advent of her grandmother days, was born Aug. 27, 1931, in Louisville, Kentucky. Faith was the bedrock of her life. During her junior and senior years of high school, the tragic loss of her father in an accident and a stroke suffered by her mother could not shake her faith. Care of her Irish-born mother was the only thing that kept her from entering the convent following graduation from Presentation Academy with a lifelong group of friends. Terry proudly and vigourously embraced her mother's Irish roots, exemplified by her choices of an Irish green burial dress and Connemara marble green burial urn from Ireland.

While caring for her mother, Terry met handsome World War II veteran, Ralph Schulz, at a neighborhood corner drug store in Louisville, Kentucky. They married in 1951 at St. James Catholic Church just a few blocks away. This led to her vocations as wife, mother, general and advocate. She conceived 12 children, gave birth to ten and "labored" for decades with eight in Louisville and Chattanooga, Tennessee. She became a general because it was more effective than a circus ringmaster. When they didn't see eye-to-eye, not one of her personal army ever doubted her love and devotion.

With an empty nest and a circle of supportive friends, Terry began to devote more time to public ministry. As she was for her mother and family, she also was an unwavering advocate for others in need. Respect for the rights of the unborn; Ladies of Charity; nurturing children as a substitute teacher at Spring Creek Elementary; and sitting at the bedside of a dying fellow resident just days before her own passing are just a few shining examples.

Daughter and sister, classmate and wife, mother and aunt, godmother and mother-in-law, grandmother and great grandmother, friend and volunteer. Terry was all of them during a life richly shared.

Terry was preceeded in passing by her father, Clarence Joseph Lusher; mother, Honor (Nora) Theresa Meehan Lusher; siblings, Clarence Jr., Dan, Jim, Mary and Bill; infant sons Danny and John, and granddaughter Carrie.

Terry is survived by children Ralph Jr. (Leeanne) of Nashville; Fritz (Kathy) of Sterling, Virginia; Dick (Nancy) of Oxford, Georgia; Paul (Karen) of Chattanooga, Tennessee; Nora Grasser (Jeff) of Indianapolis; Therese Miller (Mike) of Nashville; Mary Grace Sabol (Vince) of Rockville, Maryland; Anne Esquivel of Woodbridge, Virginia; 18 grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren, each one a delight to her.

The family expresses its deepest appreciation to all of the sisters and caregivers at Little Sisters of the Poor in Washington. Their care of Mom and all their residents is a living manifestation of God's love on earth. The sisters have been an inspiration from Mom's independent living days 12 years ago through serenading her with soothing prayers and hymns at her bedside during the hours leading to her passing.

In lieu of flowers, the family would be pleased to have donations made to the Little Sisters of the Poor of Washington, D.C., Jeanne Jugan Residence, 4200 Harewood Rd., NE, Washington, DC 20017-1554, or online at https://littlesistersofthepoorwashingtondc.weshareonline.org.

Arrangements are being managed by DeVol Funeral Home, Washington, D.C. Please visit https://www.devolfuneralhome.com/funerals-and-obituaries-in-washington-dc/teresa-schulz to share your memories of Terry. Due to current national travel restrictions, services will be announced at a later date.

Published April 10, 2020

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