Teresa Marie Link

The stars shone brighter when the angels came for Teresa's hand on the night of Dec. 26, 2011. Teresa Marie Link passed to eternal life surrounded by her loving family. She was a loving wife, mother, daughter, sibling and friend, and she passionately embraced her love for and faith with God.

On Dec. 2, 1963, Teresa was born into the family of James and Mary Ann Jones in Billings. Being the second youngest of nine children of Jones' family, she learned quickly the faith of God from her mother, Mary Ann. She attended Poly Drive Elementary, and then Lewis and Clark Junior High, where she played several sports and was proud to have been a cheerleader. Teresa then attended Billings West High School, where she, known as "Jonesie," played on the women's basketball team and lettered on the varsity squad. Teresa graduated from West with the class of 1982. After high school, she attended Seattle University until the summer of 1983. While home on summer break, she met her soon-to-be husband, Kirk. She relocated to Minneapolis to attend the University of Minnesota and, following the path that God had laid out for her, she pursued a successful career in the professional world with US Bank. She enjoyed this career until the greatest joys in her life journey came - she became a mother. Teresa and Kirk were married in Billings on May 20, 1989. After giving birth to two beautiful children, Daniel and Katelyn, they took residence in Anoka, Minn., where they built their first new home and resided until they returned home to Montana to be closer to family. That was the summer of 1992.

Her joy in life took on greater meaning when she was blessed with two more beautiful children, Amy and Evan. Teresa worked at Granite Door Company between being a loving wife, mother, daughter, sibling and friend. The hours she volunteered to others were endless. Her contributions included the Girls Scouts, coaching, school activities and fundraisers for each of her four children, all of which gave her great joy and satisfaction. She would always be cheering her children on in the many sports that they played through the years. From baseball to basketball to hockey to soccer, she was always there cheering their success, and always giving words of meaningful and positive encouragement, no matter the outcome.

The energy and joy Teresa exuded was amazing! She tirelessly devoted her life and love to her husband, children, family, friends and her faith. She always was giving of herself, no matter what she already had on her schedule. Her love of her faith remained strong through the good and not-so-good times. This was extremely important to her individually, and it was important that her children embraced this foundation of faith. Teresa repeated this to each of her four children in her final days, and each of the children confirmed their embrace to her.

Watching sunsets and making memories at the family cabin in Silver Gate was one of her many pastime favorites. The love for music was never far from Teresa's heart and lips; you could always hear humming and singing, no matter what was going on in her busy family daily schedule. If you ever had the opportunity to travel with Teresa, she would always have her favorite radio channel turned on: KLOVE 90.9FM. In fact, in her car, all preset buttons were set to the channel. Teresa made sure that music was also part of each of her children's lives. Whether it was the trumpet, piano, violin or guitar, or singing in the choir, music was love, and love was Teresa.

Thanks, Teresa, for being a part of all our lives. You have touched all of us in a positive way. You have brought so much happiness and love to so many, and asked for so little. We only can hope and pray that you are finally in your "be happy" place.

"We love you, Mom, and will miss you, but we know that God has a more important purpose for you!"

Preceding Teresa in death was her loving mother, Mary Ann. She is survived by her husband, Kirk; her loving children, Daniel, Katelyn, Amy and Evan; father, Jim; siblings, Pati Thomas (Laird), Kathy Harris (Lee), Jim, John (Darla), Greg, Jerry (Ann), David (Kelly), Dan (Kari); and numerous nieces and nephews of whom she was so proud to be their Aunt Teresa.

A vigil will be held at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Dec. 29, at St. Thomas the Apostle Church on Colton Boulevard in Billings.

A funeral mass will be celebrated at 10 a.m. on Friday, Dec. 30, at St. Thomas, with a reception to follow. Teresa will be buried in a private family ceremony on New Year's Eve Day.

Memorials for Teresa may be made to the St. Vincent Children's Healthcare - A Philanthropic Initiative of St. Vincent Healthcare Foundation.

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