In Memory of Therese Elyse Shirley Hardison

My beloved wife, Therese (Teri) Elyse Shirley Hardison, transitioned peacefully on September 13, 2024.

Therese was born and raised in Brooklyn, New York, on October 3, 1958. In her youth, she met and maintained lifelong friends, collectively called "The Pals," who she reminisced about all the time. She found her home and acceptance in the San Francisco Bay Area, where she met her closest friends and confidants. She also met me, Wes Hardison, her husband of 17 years (though we were together for 23 years). This is true: In 2001, my best friend Tony and I were sitting at a bar in San Francisco. Therese walked in, and I looked to Tony and said, she is the woman for me. Two weeks later, we had our first date. I still remember everything about that night.

We moved to Petaluma, CA, north of San Francisco, where she made our house a home. There she met new friends, who, of course, fell for her wit, smile, and love. After 16 years in Petaluma, we moved to Mebane, North Carolina, where she was happy and making a new home.

Therese was funny, quirky, artistic, beautiful, loving, caring, and most of all, she was Therese.

She had friends and family everywhere, so I am planning an online memorial service in which everyone who is able to, can participate. Hopefully, I can make it happen by the end of the year.

I am humbly asking for donations of whatever amount to help with her final arrangements.