Teresa Breedon

Teresa “Terry” Wood Breedon, 57, died Thursday December 1, 2016, surrounded by her beloved family. She was born March 9, 1959, in Perth Amboy, New Jersey and was the daughter of Joe and Constance “Connie” Wood. Terry and her family moved several times during her youth, and her fondest memories are lazy days by the Florida lakes. Throughout her teen years, Terry was inspired by singer Helen Reddy and her music. To follow her dreams and meet Helen, Terry moved to California after graduating from Seminole High School in Sanford, Florida. In Santa Barbara, California, she began working at Raytheon while she pursued an AS degree in graphic communications at Santa Barbara City College. It was at Raytheon where she met her soulmate, Ed Breedon. They promised their lives to each other on September 9, 1984. A year later they welcomed the birth of their first child, Ted. Terry loved babies and cherished having a big family.  Over the next several years, they welcomed daughters Justine, Hilary and Mackenzie. In 1994, Terry and Ed moved their family to Fargo, North Dakota, where Terry pursued a career in health care. She worked for many years at MeritCare (Sanford) Medical Center in several positions and departments. She spent most of her time in the registration department and as a manager at the Roger Maris Cancer Center. She also worked in marketing and communications. Terry was known for her kindness, dedication and hard work. While working full-time and raising her family, Terry found time to be an active member of Atonement Lutheran Church in Fargo and earned her BA degree in healthcare administration from Minnesota State University Moorhead. Terry moved on to work in management at Family Healthcare Center in Fargo for a few years and then pursued a new career in Alamogordo, New Mexico as the Administrator of Betty Dare Good Samaritan Center. This was the perfect place for Terry to show her strong faith and her compassion for others. She loved the warmth of New Mexico and the challenges of her job. Aside from her professional and educational achievements, Terry was an extremely creative person. She was a dedicated quilter, participating in many quilt retreats and making many friends along the way. She was very generous in giving to others. When anyone in the office had a baby, they got a special quilt from Terry. Terry was also an animal lover. Her family was always blessed with many dogs and cats throughout the years.  She especially cherished basset hounds and their long ears. Terry made friends everywhere she went. She loved people and cherished the unique things about each person. Terry believed in the love of God and Jesus Christ. She was passionate about her faith and loved to share her beliefs with others. She felt God had blessed her with the gift of gratitude in all areas of her life. She found God in her husband, children, and friends because she believed that God could be found in the love of everyday moments. Terry always put her family first. She loved spending time with them and relished watching them thrive in their careers and personal lives. She especially loved watching her children sing and play music. Terry was a wonderful friend. She was kind, generous and compassionate. She never had a bad word to say about anyone. She loved to sit with friends on Saturday mornings drinking coffee, talking and laughing. She loved movies, picnics in the park, and creating beautiful things. If you needed help or a friend to lean on, she was always there. After her pancreatic cancer diagnosis, Terry joined the FM Pancreatic Cancer Awareness Group to help others understand this terrible disease and find a cure. Pancreatic cancer is so deadly because victims rarely feel symptoms until they reach a stage 4 diagnosis. Terry never felt like her cancer was a journey or a battle. She made every day count by staying close to loved ones and doing things she loved. Terry had so much to live for in this life, and she stayed with us as long as she was able. Heaven gained a beautiful soul on December 1, 2016. Terry will be greatly missed by all who knew and loved her. Terry leaves her beloved husband Ed Breedon, and her children, Ted, Justine, Hilary and Mackenzie. She is also survived by her mother, Connie Wood, as well as her siblings Karen, Cindy, Pam and Jody.  She is preceded in death by her father Joe Wood. A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, December 6, 2016 at 11:00 am at Atonement Lutheran Church, 4601 South University Drive, Fargo, ND 58104.