Theresa E. Bequette (65) of Effingham

Theresa E. Bequette, 65, of Effingham, IL, passed away on Thursday, November 23, 2023. Her father, Gene Steele, her first great love, Robin Brown, and her second great love, Robert Bequette, preceded her in death.

Terrie leaves behind a family who cannot believe their good fortune to count her among them, including five extraordinary children and stepchildren: Robin Brown II (Lela), Dani Hollinshead (Levi), Christopher Brown (Stacy), Jessica Strickler (Justin), and Jason Bequette, twelve grandchildren: Alexis, Cora, Jaxson, Jace, Rylee, Lane, Annelise, Tyrus, Jasmine, Ava, Kaylie, and Briella, mother, Carole Rothrock, and six siblings: Mike Steele (Shari), Angela Brown (Ed), Carrie Rothrock-Wharton, Cathy Reel (John), Jarek Steele (Barbara Beadles), and Jo Anna Steele. Some might call what happened “losing a battle against cancer,” but Terrie didn’t battle her body or the disease, and she didn’t lose. She used the last year and a half of her life to finally, at long last, stop working. She moved from the home she had made to care for her family into a home her family made to care for her. She sat in the sun, ate when she was hungry, pulled weeds near the driveway, said the things she needed to say, heard the things she needed to hear and laughed and cried and inhabited fully the body that allowed her to love and be loved so fiercely all her life. She spent her final days in a room so crowded with people who loved her that the door wouldn’t fully open, so filled with stories and laughter that a spirit could be held aloft forever. She did not lose. Love never loses.

Memorial services will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday, November 29, 2023 at Johnson Funeral Home in Effingham. Visitation will be held from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday prior to the service at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Fear Nothing. Online condolences may be shared by clicking here.