Theresa Julia "Terri" LaRose

Theresa "Terri" Julia LaRose passed away surrounded by loved ones, on June 16, 2024 at the age of 84.
She was blessed with the gifts of caregiving and compassion. Her continuous prayers through Saint Jude strengthened her heart to touch the many lives of family, neighbors, friends, co-workers, and acquaintances.
Born Theresa Julia Zakalowski in Detroit, Michigan on December 15, 1939, she was the fifth child of Anthony and Julia (Taraskiewicz) Zakalowski. Terri suffered a significant loss at 3-1/2 years old when her mother died giving birth to twin sisters. The hardship resulted in Terri being accepted to the Guardian Angel Home near St Albertus Parrish under the care of the Felician Nuns until the age of 12 years old. Her father then married Jennie Mancuso, whom he met visiting her daughter at Guardian Angel. Terri was once again united with family, a big family, with 7 siblings, 2 step siblings, and later a half-brother, Martin, whom she helped raise in early childhood.
Terri continued her caregiving as a professional hairstylist, yet still spending time supporting her extended family who relied on her love and generosity. She gave birth to a son, Anthony "Tony" Zakalowski in 1960 whom she nurtured and cared for while living in Grand Rapids then later in the City of East Detroit (Eastpoint). Her professional career then changed to working in the sewing department at the Ford Utica Trim Plant where she met James (Jim) LaRose whom she married on March 1, 1974 and moved to Brentwood Dr. in Shelby Twp. Her family grew more as she lovingly accepted 4 step children who would often joke that the marriage contract was up for renewal each year, but she never turned it down.
She and Jim have enjoyed a long life together supporting others through annual family reunions, neighborhood block parties, weddings, graduations, and countless achievements. They often wrote letters to family service members and even traveled to visit their son's family at an Air Force Base in the Philippines. On a personal achievement, the family was very proud of Terri for returning to school, while in her late 40's, to earn her High School GED from L'Anse Creuse North. Now it was our turn to recognize and support the one who unselfishly cared for others.
Terri is predeceased in death by her siblings and son (John), and is survived by her Husband of over 50 years (Jim LaRose); children: Tim (Kitty) LaRose, Tony (Kathy) Zakalowski, Colleen (Robin) Good, and Jim (Kristine) LaRose. 18 grandchildren, 16 great grandchildren.
There will be a private inurnment for Terri at Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan. Those desiring to express sympathy please consider: St Jude Children's Hospital: https://www.stjude.org/ The Veterans National Cemetery: https://www.cem.va.gov/cem/index.asp