Teresa Jean Rauch

Teresa Jean Rauch

April 18, 1947 – September 20, 2025

The sun shines less bright and the world seems a little colder. Our beautiful mother was lifted into the arms of her Lord and Savior and joyfully entered the Kingdom of Heaven on the morning of Saturday, September 20, 2025.

Teresa Kott was born in Los Angeles, California to Bruce Kott and LaVerne Kester on April 18, 1947. Her life was defined by selflessness, compassion for others, love for her family and devotion to her faith. She overcame challenges and adversity with strength and grace, never giving up. A creator and an educator for over 50 years, she used her knowledge, ideas and creativity to help others succeed and flourish. Inspired by both her personal and professional experiences, she developed the board game called “Now It’s Your Turn.” She also created a series of workbooks that helped kids understand their emotions, the first being titled “Do You Know When You Are Angry?”

She was the most beautiful of people. Whether you were family, a friend or someone she’d just met, it mattered not. Her heart always had enough room for one more and her generous spirit touched many, many lives. She was an example of unconditional love and was always willing to help others, even if it meant she did without. She was truly an angel on earth.

For the last two years of her life, Teresa was lovingly cared for by her daughter-in-law, Christine. At every turn, Chris was unfailingly present and did everything with love and grace, preserving our mother’s pride and dignity. There are not enough words and not enough time to adequately express just how much she is appreciated.

Her family also wishes to acknowledge their immense gratitude for the hospice team at Howard Hospital for their compassionate and tender care: Adriana, Arie, Chris, Erwin, Jaide, Kathy, and Katie, and, for her valuable assistance and for never leaving her at home, huge thanks to her respite worker Shannon.

Teresa was predeceased by her parents, Bruce & Delores Kott and LaVerne & Butch Bender. two husbands and her nephew Kosta Pollichronakis.

She lives on in the memories and love of her son Brian (wife Christine); daughter Phaedra (husband Joseph); grandchildren Ashley, Hilarie, Bethany, Destiny, Miranda and Lex; sisters Linda, Vicki, and Dee; nephews Nikos, Isaiah, and Jack; nieces Anastasia, Ashley and Alethea; her extended family and the multitude of friends and people she inspired.

A Celebration of Life is planned for Sunday, November 2. For more information on the event as it becomes available and for further details about the life of this amazing woman, please visit the Find A Grave website and search for either her name or memorial number 287179843.

In lieu of cards or flowers, we ask that instead you perform random acts of kindness for strangers or you can make donations of time or goods or give financial support in her memory to your local hospice organization.

https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/287179843/teresa-jean-rauch