Teri Michele Germic Pettey's Obituary
Much to the heartbreak and dismay of her closest family and friends, our beloved Teri Michele Germic Pettey passed away in her sleep on Friday, December 30th 2022.
Teri was born to John Paul and Valorie Germic on November 8, 1966 in Santa Ana California. The family lived there until she was about two years old, at which point they moved to Banning California, where they lived until she graduated from Banning High School in 1984. Teri always had an adventurous and Old Soul, and the wild unbroken spirit of California meshed perfectly with that. She grew up adventurous, and carefree, at one with nature and resonating with the energies and spirits that are spread all throughout that beautiful California countryside. She grew up loving the ocean, and the feel of the sand between her toes; but her true love and her biggest takeaway from her time in California was Harley-Davidson Motorcycles: she never felt more at peace than she did on the back of a hog, cruising down the highway and feeling the breeze blowing her hair back, a true road warrior and a biker queen.
Teri moved to Utah in 1989, and she remained here until her last breath. After she moved to Utah, she got her CNA and worked with the elderly for quite some time. She loved helping others, and she felt a sense of pride and accomplishment being able to comfort the elderly, and to help them have an amazing quality of life in their last days. However, it wasn't just the elderly that Teri loved to help: it didn't matter your age, sex, race, or creed; Teri would help anyone, anytime, anywhere as long as she was in a postion to do so. She literally gave the shirt off her back several times to someone in need, and anbody you ask would tell you the same thing: there was never a kinder, more generous soul in the world than Teri Pettey. She was an upstanding and honest person, and there was no one else in the world that could keep a secret better than she could: if you told her something in confidence, it remained there until she had permission to share it. She had a wonderful sense of humor, and she could always brighten up your day, no matter how rough it was. Her laughter was like windchimes in the wind, and her smile could light up any room like a lighthouse lighting up the coast at night. She had so much love to give, just ask any of the hundreds of adopted "children" that she took in over her lifetime-if you needed a place to go and someone to love you, Teri would take you in and be the mom you never had. She took people in emotionally, and literally-there are so many people who can tell you stories of needing a place to live for a short time, and Teri giving it to them. She may not have had a whole lot, but anything that she had she was more than happy to share if it meant helping someone else have a better existence.
Of course, no one's story is completely perfect and without blemish. Teri had her fair share of issues and struggles throughout her life, and she experienced trauma just like all of us do. She had many physical ailments that affected her life, including arthritis and back issues which she had to have many major surgeries to try and correct. She also struggled with mental health, and addiction issues throughout her life. But she never let her ailments get her down, and she refused to feel like her issues defined who she was as a person: her spirit remained unbroken, and she kept pushing forward day to day always choosing to have a positive outlook, and a smile on her face. If there was any one word chosen to describe Teri it would have to be RESILIENT: she took everthing that life had to throw her way, and no matter how far she got knocked down, she would ALWAYS get back up. There are many who can say that Teri taught them how to stay positive, and to always keep going no matter how hard it might seem-she truly was an inspiration, and a role model to so many; and while we are heartbroken to see her go, we take comfort in the knowledge that she is still with us in spirit, and that she always will be. Anytime the wind blows, anytime we smell the salt off the sea, anytime the sun rises and sets, and anytime the stars shine a little brighter at night, we know that is Teri telling us, "I'm still here with you, and you'll never have to be alone."
Teri was preceded in Death by quite a few people: Her parents: John Paul and Valorie Germic; Her sister: Tracy Germic; Her niece Heather Linan; Her first husband: Bradley Pettey; and Her second spouse: Rick Wright; Her brother in law Joe Linan and his wife Barbie Linan; as well as personal friends and acquaintances. However, she is survived by so many more: Her children: Jennifer Rawlinson (Hyrum), Derick Pettey (Ashley), and Miranda Pettey; Her stepdaughter: Amber Wright; Her grandchildren: Kennadie, Kolton, Titus, Jaxon, Kholie, Pyper, and Kyler; Her sister and brother in law: Rhonda and Jesse Linan; Her nieces and nephews (Also including their spouses and children): Crystal Germic, Joey Linan, David Linan, Matt Linan, Jesse Linan, Steven Linan, and Kimberly Linan; as well as many close friends and acquaintances, specifically Kandie Barrett, Brian Steele, and Antonio Arrowchis.
There will be a memorial/celebration of life for Teri, that is to be held on January 28th, 2023 from 6:00-8:30 P.M. at 90 East Maple Street in Mapleton Utah, 84664. Anyone who wishes to come and share a memory, and to be surrounded by those who loved and will miss Teri are highly encouraged to do so. This is a potluck event, so if you would like to bring a dish of some kind you are encouraged to do so, but it is not required or expected. May this loss and this heartbreak bring us closer together, and give us a chance to reflect on Teri's life, as well as the impact she had on so many.
What’s your fondest memory of Teri?
What’s a lesson you learned from Teri?
Share a story where Teri's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Teri you’ll never forget.
How did Teri make you smile?