Theresa Louise McKiernan

Theresa Louise McKiernan, age 80, of Gatesville, passed away Thursday, October 18, 2018 at home surrounded by her family.Memorial services will be at 2:00 p.m., Monday, October 22, 2018 at Scott’s Funeral Home, with Pastor Gary Baxley officiating.  Visitation will be one hour prior to services at the funeral home.  Interment will be at Holy Cross Cemetery in North Arlington, New Jersey.Theresa was born on May 7, 1938 in Chelsea, Massachusetts to the late Joseph and Rosalind Apone.  She grew up in New Jersey where she attained an LVN nursing degree from Monmouth Vocational School while raising a family.Theresa and her family moved to Gatesville in 1975, where she worked as a nurse at Coryell Memorial Hospital, Texas Department of Corrections and several long term care facilities over 47 years.  In addition, Theresa taught Certified Nurse Assistant and Med Aid classes in Gatesville.  Theresa loved being a nurse and helping others.  She was known for her Italian cuisine, and loved cooking for her family and friends.  Everyone who knew Theresa was treated to her famous rum cake.  Her other hobbies included gardening, reading, and nurturing her pets.She was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Crell, who tragically died in 1961.  She then married Bernie McKiernan and he preceded her in death in 2017.  She was also preceded in death by her parents and infant son, Christopher Bartholomew McKiernan.Theresa is survived by her sister, Carole Worden of Abilene; four children, Lynn Corvasce and life partner, Karen Deitzer of Freehold, New Jersey, Bobby Crell of Copperas Cove, Rosie Beaty and husband, David of Gatesville, and Theresa Smart and husband, Larry of Gatesville; eight grandchildren; and 16 great-grandchildren.Memorials may be made to MD Anderson Cancer Center, 1515 Holcombe Blvd., Houston, Texas 77030.