Theresa M. Lauderdale

Theresa Marie Lauderdale, affectionately known as Rees by her friends, passed away peacefully on November 21, 2025, at Hospice of the Valley's Ryan House in Phoenix, Arizona, at the age of 69, after a courageous battle with cancer. Born on August 1, 1956, in Kansas City, Kansas, to Charles and Virginia (Bednar) Lauderdale Rees was the fourth of seven children. Rees graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in the Recreational/Physical Therapy field from the University of Kansas, where she made the Dean's List, participated in synchronized swim and was goalie on the Field Hockey team. She was predeceased by her parents and brother Michael. A loving mother, devoted sister, and cherished friend, Rees is survived by her two daughters: Lilliana Mimi Radojevich and Tatiana Noah Radojevich; grandson Leo; granddaughter Adaleya; brother Chris Lauderdale; and sisters Barbara Fehrenbach, Julia Yates, Paula Wester, and Liz Smith; and nieces and nephews. Rees was a strong willed, adventurous, and passionate soul with a zest for life that was evident in her many interests. She was an avid swimmer, teaching swimming and participating in synchronized swim competitions, building grain bins with her brother, sewing, gardening, quilting and cooking for family and friends. She was an insatiable reader, having many book collections and was active in the Foster Care Program in Kansas. But her greatest joy was spending time with her grandson Leo, and she was very happy that she got to meet her granddaughter Adaleya this past August. Rees was raised in Shawnee, Kansas in a strong, loving, and competitive family. She moved to Arizona with her two daughters approximately 20 years ago finally settling in Phoenix. Her last employment was with Lowe's where she made many friends. The family would like to thank the staff of Hospice of the Valley as well as those at Ryan's House who took good care of her these last few months. Your kindness, thoughtfulness and help is greatly appreciated. Her ashes will be buried at Mt. Calvary in Kansas City, KS alongside her parents and brother. When you think of Rees perhaps that old Frank Sinatra song "I did it my way" will come to mind and make you smile. The family would like to suggest donations to the Hospice of the Valley Ryan House, 110 W. Muhammad Ali Way, 2nd Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85013. To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Theresa M. Lauderdale, please visit our floral store.