Theresa Catherine Cartwright

Theresa Catherine (West) Cartwright died peacefully surrounded by her family after a sudden illness two weeks after celebrating her 100th birthday. Mrs. Cartwright was a lifelong Indianapolis resident and grew up on the southside. Born June 6, 1926 to Fred L. and Frances Mathis West, Theresa was the 4th of six West children. Her early life was challenged by rheumatic fever, causing right leg to be immobile and requiring her to learn to walk again. This event, coupled with a hit-and-run car accident at age 6 that left her gravely injured, contributed to her strength and grit. Theresa’s family became Catholic when she was about 8 and she was the first of the family Baptized in the Faith. She attended Saint Catherine’s and was the first of her family to graduate high school, receiving a diploma from Manual in 1944. Mrs. Cartwright’s keen intellect and strong work ethic lead to her first job as a telephone operator at age 15, where she worked the switchboard for Fort Benjamin Harrison, connecting calls for soldiers at the beginning of the war in 1941. Upon graduating from Manual, Theresa attended Dwyer Business College and began working at Eli Lilly, first in guest relations and later as an administrative assistant for several sales directors working on the campaign for Darvon in the 1950-60s.

In the late 1950’s Theresa met the love of her life, Glenn Robert (Bob) Cartwright in the CYO; he was president and she was the club secretary-they married at Holy Name Catholic Church in 1961 and in 1963 she left Lilly to raise her son Tim and later, daughter Tina. She and Bob were charter members of Saint Barnabas and were active in bowling leagues, card clubs and the parish clubs.

To those who knew her, Theresa was ahead of her time, having a successful career and raising a family, with her Faith always at the center of her life, guiding her through many difficult times. Theresa was a source of wise counsel for many, she instilled in her children the value of education, the gift of common sense, the reward of perseverance, and the need to find creative solutions to life’s challenges, leading always by example. At age 50, she returned to school to brush up on her secretarial skills and found work at American States Insurance in 1978, retiring in 1993.

Although an avid swimmer and tennis player in her youth, in her retirement years, she enjoyed trips to Las Vegas with Bob and visiting new places all over the US. Ever curious, Theresa learned new technology at an advance age and enjoyed watching the business channel to track companies and stocks. She lived a full and blessed life and will be remembered for her joyful smile and habit of singing around the house. Theresa was a long-time member of Holy Rosary Catholic Church, serving as a Eucharistic minister and volunteer at the annual Italian Festival. She was preceded in death by her parents, siblings, and husband Bob. Theresa was still mentally sharp and lived independently at home up until the day of her entrance into hospice. She will be deeply missed be her children Timothy (Tamera) Cartwright and Dr. Martina (Tina) Cartwright (Ivan Rosario) and her many nieces and nephews, including Connie Parsons, Terese Miller, and Paula Herrera, who were with her before and during her passing. Her family and friends will remember celebrating her 100th birthday, sharing memories and asking for life advice- she said “Learn to cope, because there will be lumps.” Faith in God was always in her heart, mind, and spirit. She lived a life of grit and grace, and her family is forever grateful she was around for a century. The family would like to thank the Hartkorn family and the wonderful caregivers of Paradigm Hospice who provided support and comfort over the last 4 days of her time here.

Visitation for  Theresa will be Monday, June 29 from 4:00 PM to 8:00 PM at O’Riley – Branson Funeral Service, 6107 S. East Street, Indianapolis, 46227.  A Mass of Christian Burial will be Tuesday at 10:00 AM at Holy Name Catholic Church, 89 N 17th Ave., Beech Grove, 46107.  Inurnment will take place at a later date in Calvary Cemetery.

Please visit www.ORileyBranson.com to share a favorite memory or to sign the online guest registry.

In memory of Theresa memorial may be made to St Jude’s Children Hospital, https://www.stjude.org/ or to Tunnel to Towers, https://dogood.t2t.org/give/320847#!/donation/checkout.

Theresa will be remember for her lasting love of family, friends, church and as a proud American.