Teresa Jean Locke

Teresa “Terry” Jean Locke of Warsaw, Indiana and most recently of Grace Village Retirement Community in Winona Lake, Indiana, left this world to meet her beloved Jesus at 1:53 a.m. on Saturday, January 2, 2021 at Kosciusko Community Hospital of Warsaw at the age of 88. 

Terry was born on August 18, 1932, in Barre, Vermont to Delia Ina (Morrow) Sassorossi and Thomas Sassorossi.  She was the daughter of an Italian immigrant and a French-Canadian Vermonter.  Her parents were hard-working stock -- her father, a stone cutter in the famous Barre granite quarries and her mother, a miracle-worker with her hands who brought in money by making things for and taking care of others.  One of six siblings, Terry was a shy, bookish child who excelled at school and had a natural bent for dancing and gymnastics.  She spent her entire childhood in Vermont with the exception of a two-year stint in Los Angeles during World War II.  When it was time for college, Terry, who never liked the cold and had fond memories of the West Coast, moved back to southern California where she worked part-time and attended the University of Southern California and Pepperdine University.  She graduated with a major in Education and spent years teaching in public and Christian schools.  She always had a heart for children.  On December 18, 1965, she was married to Donald “Don” Frederick Locke. 

In 1974, Terry and her husband, Don, moved back to Warsaw where they were members of Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church for many years and most recently members of Oak Grove Community Church.  Terry was a very active member of the churches she attended, often sharing her gifts as a Sunday school teacher and choir member.  For many years, she was a member of the administrative office team of the Warsaw Evangelical Presbyterian Church.  She was a dedicated volunteer with the Salvation Army Women’s Auxiliary.  Terry and Don were very well-known as Shaklee distributors, supplying supplements and natural cleaners to many of their friends. They were always making others aware of staying healthy and they did so with huge smiles on their faces! 

Terry was a hard-worker, an accomplished knitter, an excellent cook and a dedicated mother and grandmother.  She loved reading, doing crossword puzzle and the humor of Bob Newhart.  She was a committed Christian and, over the years, was a member of many Bible study and prayer groups.  Terry often showed up with food or support for others in times of need.  She adored her husband Don and his dear extended family who, in turn, became her family.  Terry and Don made many happy memories traveling the world on Shaklee trips.  Terry and Don shared 52 years of marriage together before Don passed away on April 8, 2018.

Terry will be missed and lovingly remembered by her daughter, Jennifer Dawn Locke (partner Shawn Grider) (Philmont, NY); stepson, John Charles (wife Shirin) Locke (Murietta, California); and stepdaughter, Sarah Eileen (husband Michael) Marsh (Wildomar, California).  She also leaves behind five grandchildren:  Jason Locke, Matthew Locke (fiancé Heather), Heather (husband Chuck) Godlesky, Josh Marsh, and Emory Grider; four great-grandchildren:  Tyler Marsh, Dylon Marsh, Elianna Locke, and Charlotte Locke; two sisters:  Ann Ackerson (Ridgecrest, California) and Janet (Norman) Nieberlein (Oregon); a brother, Michael (Jeralin) Sassorossi (Santa Barbara, California).

She was preceded in death by her parents, husband, brother, Louis Sassorossi, and her sister, Harriett Demers. 

Terry’s life will be celebrated with a graveside service at 2:00 p.m. on Wednesday, January 6, 2021 at Oakwood Cemetery in Warsaw where she will be laid to rest next to her husband, Don.  Her service will be officiated by Mr. Richard Long of North Manchester, Indiana.  Those wishing to attend the graveside service, please meet at the funeral home parking lot and the procession will leave to the cemetery promptly at 2:00 p.m.  Arrangements were entrusted to Redpath-Fruth Funeral Home, 225 Argonne Road, Warsaw, Indiana.

Please send donations in Terry’s memory to Edie Olson, c/o TEAM: A Global Alliance of Churches and Missionaries, PO Box 1683, Carol Stream, IL, 60132 or online at https://team.org/give (please indicate Edie Olson’s name as the recipient and give in memory of Terry).  Edie Olson is a long-time friend of Terry and her husband, Don, and with her late husband, Eric, Edie has served as a missionary around the world for over 50 years.

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