Teresa “Teri” Lee Jeffres Metsack was a cherished member of our family and loved by everyone who knew her. You could never catch her without a friendly smile on her face and a loving word for everyone she met. Teri was born in Los Angeles on May 10, 1946, where she spent most of her formative years.

During Teri’s early teens, her family moved to Sacramento, where her stepfather began a new job at the Capital. She graduated from McClatchy High School, Class of 1964, in Sacramento. She frequently visited Pasadena, where her grandmother and Jack, her birth father, lived. Teri was always looking for a party or a dance. New Year’s 1964-’65, she went to a teen juice bar, The Cinnamon Cinders, where she found a GI (Airman 2nd Class Richard Metsack) stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in Southern California. That chance meeting became a love story that lasted 57 Years. They were married in Sacramento on Oct. 14, 1967.

Teri moved again from Sacramento and the Golden State to Ashford, aka “the sticks.” Teri and Richie’s first house was a rental for $50 a month on a chicken farm, aka “Culture Shock.” Ashford was Richie’s hometown, and Teri and Richie lived there for 10 years, where Teri gave birth to two healthy boys, Matthew and Gregory. In 1977, Rich had landed a job as automotive instructor at the Shoreline Satellite in Essex. They then moved from Ashford to a wonderful little home in Old Saybrook (not on a chicken farm).

Teri had a loving heart and was a natural caregiver. After moving from Ashford to Old Saybrook, she got a job working as a CNA at the local Convalescent Hospital. Teri excelled at her new job, because she had so much love in her heart for the people in her care. Even after her retirement, she would volunteer at three of the area convalescent hospitals and visit people who had no one or do arts and crafts with others.

Teri, the love of her husband Richie’s life, is survived by her husband; two sons, Matthew and Gregory; her grandsons, Jonathan and Ayddan; a beloved nephew, David; and daughter, Kalona Nickels of Vista, California. She was predeceased by her parents: stepfather and mother Lenard and Patria Kreidt; father and stepmother Jack and Anny Jeffries; sister Helen “Cookie” Nichols; and brother Jack Jeffries Jr.

Teri will be remembered for her warm, giving heart, perpetual smile, love of life, and eternal search for all the fun.

A Mass of Christian burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 10, in St. John R.C. Church, 161 Main Street, Old Saybrook. A reception is to follow from noon to 5 p.m. at Fireman’s Field (Clark Memorial Field) at 20 Elm Street, Old Saybrook, located right off of I-95 Southbound, exit 67.