Theresa "Terry Ann" Jelliffe
February 6, 1942 ~ September 12, 2025
Born in:
Denver, Colorado
Resided in:
Lakewood, Colorado
Theresa Jelliffe passed away peacefully on September 12, 2025 at Marycrest Assisted Living in Denver. She was born the second of five children to Fred and Rose Laurita. Theresa graduated from Lakewood High School and attended Berklee School of Music in Boston.
After working as a legal secretary, first at Boulder Family Court and then for 22 years in the U.S. District Court for Judge Hatfield Chilson, Theresa became a real estate broker-agent at Moore and Co. and Coldwell Banker. She developed lasting bonds with many of her real estate colleagues and clients who thought of her as family.
Theresa held these things dear: Faith in God, family, gardening, nutrition, music, literature, and all things Italian. A voracious reader, she assembled a library ranging from the Beat writers to St. Thomas Aquinas to Julia Child.
She freely shared her knowledge of herbal remedies, healthy eating, growing food, and scripture with anyone who was interested. Theresa was a Gardening Project leader in the Jefferson County 4-H program, and treasured teaching 4-H members.
Theresa was a loving, caring, and thoughtful mother. Though she had only one child, she strove to make sure he was not spoiled, except with love and the amazing food she prepared, in quantities to feed a platoon.
She is survived by her son, Patrick Jelliffe; stepdaughter Jessica Jelliffe; stepson Will Jelliffe; sister Pat Pergola; and sister Rosie Laurita McCarthy. She was preceded in death by her parents; brother Fred “Mick” Laurita; and sister Jackie Finlay.
Her love, encouragement, and irrepressible energy will be sorely missed. “If you have a garden and a library, you have everything you need.”
– Marcus Tullius Cicero
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the National Scoliosis Foundation at 1-800-673-6922, https://www.scoliosis.org/donate/
A Mass will be said in Theresa’s name on Sunday November 23, 2025 at 12 Noon at the St. Kateri Community in St. Bernadette Catholic Church, 7240 W 12th Avenue, Lakewood CO, 80214.
Services
Memorial Mass: November 23, 2025 12:00 pm
St. Kateri Community in St. Bernadette Catholic Church
7240 W 12th Avenue
Lakewood, Colorado 80214
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Terry was a great friend and neighbor. We had a blast walking and talking and practicing our whistling who was the loudest. Her 4-H knowledge was impressive. I miss her coming over for my husband to do lots of things for her – mostly open pickle jars and such. She loved our Lord Jesus and I know she’s with Him at long last.