In the quiet cold of January 16, 2024 as the Earth's flowers rested, Heaven opened its garden gate to welcome a soft and delicate blossom.

And now both Heaven and Earth can know the beautiful soul of our most precious Terese Langdon.

The beloved wife, devoted mama and cherished gamma lived life to the fullest, always grateful and always nurturing what mattered most, her family and friends.

The oldest of six, Terese was born on the South Side of Chicago on July 3, 1957. She spent her early years playing in the gangways with friends and cousins and keeping an eye on her younger siblings. She attended Immaculate Conception Grammar School before her family moved to the south suburbs, and she transferred, first, to St. Gerard Majella, and then, to Ridge School in Chicago Ridge.

She met the love of her life, Chuck Langdon, during their senior year at Richards High School. She was the volunteer attendance girl, charged with distributing student rosters to teachers during 4th period. He was just a guy getting through gym class when they first spied each other.

They later met officially at a party at Chuck's home in Oak Lawn. Terese was smitten with Chuck's courtliness and maturity. Chuck was drawn to her gentleness and beauty.

Their first date was a trip to the Amphitheater to see Hulk Hogan in an animated wrestling match. Chuck's father, a union electrician, had provided the tickets. Afterwards the couple stopped at McDonald's for burgers, both of them with no onions. The spark quickly became a flame and the following summer, on Terese's birthday, they announced their engagement. They were married Nov. 27, 1976.

Chuck was enlisted in the Air Force back then and the couple made a modest home in New Baden, Ill. Little did they know, a lifetime of adventure awaited. They welcomed daughter Jennifer in 1981 and son CJ in 1985. As a working mom, Terese used to say "being an Air Force wife is a hard job", but she seemed to effortlessly juggle the challenges of childrearing, working at various jobs, and homemaking, despite being far from extended family. She made time to volunteer at her children's schools and attend their various band and theatre events.

No matter where her husband's Air Force career took them -- from Oklahoma to the territory of Guam – Terese made sure their home was comfortable, welcoming, and filled with the special love only she could provide.

At each base they made new friends, many of whom would become lifelong treasures. And at each base, they made memories, exploring new regions and making the most of every destination. Her favorite stretch was on the island of Guam where she said, "there was a real sense of community." She worked at the local preschool and her family regularly joined the other military families on the beach to celebrate holidays.

The children spent a great chunk of their childhood in Warrensburg, Mo., where Terese and Chuck would help organize barbecues for young airmen and turkey give-aways at Thanksgiving.

The moves were challenging yet they inspired in Terese a love for travel that would continue until just months before she passed. She would choose a destination and Chuck would devise the itinerary. They especially loved the mountains of Montana/Wyoming, their travels through Europe, Caribbean cruises, and the magnificent scenery of Hawaii.

In the early 2000s, Chuck returned to work at Scott Air Force Base as a civilian and the family settled in O'Fallon, Ill. It was there that Terese was able to delve into what she called "a real career" as roster coordinator at Southwestern Illinois College until her retirement in 2018.

In her free time, she would tend to the peonies, daisies and many vegetables in her backyard gardens. Her favorite pastime would come after the arrival of her grandchildren, Elena and Lucas. Terese spent many hours engaging them in crafts and other fun activities, establishing a deep bond of love and encouragement.

Terese bravely battled pancreatic cancer for more than 2 years. Despite the pain and suffering, she fought the way she lived, with a mix of courage, whimsy, wit and tenderness.

Terese was preceded in death by her parents, Ruth and Vince Luna, and her in-laws, Chuck and Paula Langdon.

She leaves behind her devoted husband of 47 years, Chuck Langdon, her daughter Jennifer (Robert) Batek, son CJ (Anna) Langdon, grandchildren Elena and Lucas Batek, siblings Donna (Jim) Vickroy, John (Donna) Luna, Denise (Steve) Walczak, Daniel (Gloria) Luna, Dennis (Jen) Luna, brother-in-law Mike (Maria) Langdon and many nieces, nephews, cousins and friends.

A family visitation will occur 11:00 – 12:00, Saturday, February 17, 2024 at the Knights of Columbus Hall in O'Fallon, Ill.  A memorial service will begin promptly at 12:00, officiated by Monsignor John Myler.

An additional family visitation and memorial service will occur at a later date in the Chicago area.