She can trace her ancestry back to the founding of New France in Quebec and Montreal, Canada.As a small child, she accompanied her father as he escorted aviator Charles Lindbergh during his triumphant parade through Hartford.Lindbergh handed her a small bouquet of flowers that he had received during the ceremonies.

After high school she graduated from the St. Frances Hospital School of Nursing in Hartford, Connecticut.During World War II, she was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corp, serving overseas with the 313th General Hospital in the Philippines and in occupied Japan.

She met her future husband, Army Lt. Jack deKowzan, at Ft. Jackson, S.C. before being shipped overseas.They left Ft. Jackson separately, not knowing the other's destination.In one of her letters to Jack, she mentioned visiting a Chinese cemetery.When he realized that the only such cemetery was located near his post in the Philippines, he went to the closest Army Hospital and asked if she was there.They were reunited and eventually became engaged.Jack always said that he found the woman he loved in South Carolina and had to follow her halfway around the world to get her to marry him.

They settled in Jack's hometown of Baltimore and raised 5 children.Teresa went back to nursing and eventually retired from Mercy Hospital where she was in charge of the Delivery Room for many years.

After retirement, they enjoyed many summers at their place at Breezy Point, Maryland where she honed her painting skills.After moving to the Charlestown Retirement Community in Catonsville, she frequently exhibited her work at art shows.At Charlestown, she volunteered in many activities including the Treasure Sale, and Renaissance Gardens where she taught ceramics and pushed patients in wheelchairs to Sunday Mass.In 2011 she was inducted into the Maryland Senior Citizens Hall of Fame for Volunteerism.

She is the devoted wife of the late John E. deKowzan and is survived by her children: Paul E. deKowzan and wife Linda, Mary Davidson, Teresa King and husband Wilbert, Jacqueline Forrester and husband Thomas, John deKowzan Jr. and wife Robin, 7 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren.

Mrs. deKowzan rests at the family operated HUBBARD FUNERAL HOME, INC., 4107 Wilkens Avenue, Baltimore, MD where friends are invited to call on Tuesday, February 4th, 2014 from 2-4pm and 6-8pm and on Wednesday at Our Lady of the Angels Chapel Charlestown from 11-12noon. Her Mass of Christian Burial will follow 12pm. Interment at Arlington National Cemetery at a later date. Her family will be providing flowers and asks instead that donations in her memory be directed to Charlestown Benevolent Care Foundation, 719 Maiden Choice Lane, Baltimore, MD 21228.