Theresa “Teri” Marie Wyckoff

Theresa “Teri” Marie Wyckoff, 55, died March 3, 2012, at her home in Wasilla after a long battle with ovarian cancer. Family and pets she loved dearly surrounded her at the time of her death.

Theresa was born Oct. 26, 1956, in Columbus, Ohio, to John and Margaret Hofmann.

Visitation for family and friends is from 5 to 7 p.m., March 8 and March 9 at Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel, 1015 S. Check St., Wasilla.

A celebration of life service is at 1 p.m., March 10 at the funeral home chapel. Burial will follow the services at Wasilla Aurora Cemetery in Wasilla.

Theresa attended Bexley Elementary School in Columbus, Ohio, and then moved to Buckeye Lake, Ohio, where she attended Sheridan General junior and senior high schools.

She met her lifelong friend and husband, Mike, there in high school and they traveled to various parts of the world while he served his country in the U.S. Army, including Alaska. She told Mike she wanted to retire here because it felt like home. They have lived in Wasilla since moving back in 1994.

She enjoyed the various wildlife of Alaska, especially the eagles that reminded her of soaring free and proud. Theresa’s passion was for her children, grandchildren and great-grandchild who, along with her love of rescuing dogs and cats to give them a loving home, brought her joy.

Surviving are her husband, Michael (Mike); daughter, Tonya and Daniel Cornell, all of Wasilla; daughter, Shannon and Bryan Spake of Anchorage; son, Jonathan and Amanda Wyckoff of Big Lake; 10 grandchildren; one great-granddaughter; and numerous loving pets that will love and miss her forever.

The family suggests memorials in memory of Theresa be made to the Cancer Center at Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage.

Alaskan Heritage Memorial Chapel and Crematory in Wasilla cared for the family.