Obituary of Terry Beneteau

In loving memory of Theresa Marie Beneteau (nee. Ellwood) 

On March 10, 2026, at the age of 89, Terry was reunited with her adored parents Bill and Evelyn and her husband Paul. Lovingly survived by her children Greg, Paula St-Gelais (Dan) and Renee. Special Grandma to Calvin (Lowen), Luc (Kiersten) and Ela Beneteau-Nader. Terry spent her life happily surrounded by her siblings Tom (Gerri), Marilyn Maddison (late Michael), Allan (late Anne), Dolores Shaw (late Russ), Bud (Marie), the late Bernie Casey (late Leo Joncas), and the late Ricky (June) and Jack (Grace). She will be missed by her brothers- and sisters-in-law, nieces and nephews, extended family and friends.

Dementia is a heart breaking disease, but it also gives many gifts. As an extremely organized notetaker, Terry catalogued her life. As her memory was failing her, she was able to go over her many, many photo albums with every picture labelled and captioned. She relived both Ellwood and Beneteau family get togethers, travels to places all over the world, annual camping trips, weekly card club friends, life-long high school friends (especially Vera), and the vast amount of musical theatre brochures from her ushering days and beyond. Her favourite albums involved her grandchildren and all the stages of their lives as they grew to adults.

The one memory that never faded was her love and acknowledgement of her parents. The joy on her face as she talked as though she was about to see them for dinner tonight was wonderful.

The other gift of dementia is the freedom to let go and enjoy each day as it presents itself. She was finally able to just participate. Dementia removes filters and brought Terry back to the joyous mind of a toddler. Terry’s eyerolling, shrugs and finger pointing were priceless as the wonderful caretakers at Seasons Royal Oak Memory Care witnessed daily. Terry was blessed to have had three and a half active years there as they treated her with dignity and respect. Dementia care often requires the child to become the parent, which Paula lovingly acted out. The baby sister to become the older sibling, which Marilyn truly became. Despite her dementia, Terry remained a strong and self-reliant fighter, and is now truly at peace.

Arrangements entrusted to Windsor Chapel Funeral Home (CENTRAL) 519-253-7234, 1700 Tecumseh Rd E. A visitation will be held Friday, April 17, 2026 from 10:00am - 11:00am at Most Precious Blood Church, 1947 Meldrum Rd. A Funeral Mass will be held at 11:00am at the Church. Interment at Heavenly Rest Cemetery to follow.

In lieu of flowers, donations on Theresa's behalf may be appreciated to the Alzheimer's Society of Windsor-Essex County.

Online Condolences and Cherished Memories may be shared to www.windsorchapel.com