Theresa Louise Healey, 84, of San Luis Obispo, CA died peacefully in her sleep on Saturday, September 21, 2024, at Lake Wylie Assisted Living, Lake Wylie, SC.

Born in Queens, New York, on March 12, 1940, Theresa's family moved to Michigan in 1941, returning in 1946 and settling on Rosemont Street in North Belmore, Long Island, NY.  She attended the all-girls Bishop McDonnel Catholic High School in Brooklyn, graduating in 1958.  Following graduation, she engaged in secretarial work and at a local dance hall later that year, she met Frederick Vohwinkel, Sr. They married in September of 1960. Together they moved to Bohemia, Long Island where they lived with their five children until 1975 when the family moved to Charlotte, NC.  At the time of her divorce in the late 1970's, Theresa was very involved with Catholic Social Services in Charlotte, whose nuns both assisted her in her time of need and inspired her to a life of service to others.  In her late 30's, Theresa put herself through undergraduate school at Winthrop University while working a variety of jobs including at the Food Stamp Office.  In 1983, Theresa earned her Master's Degree in Social Work from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and then spent 30+ years as a family social worker with Hospice groups where she worked to bring peace and dignity to grieving families.  In 1991, Theresa met Patricia "Pat" Zolkoski to whom she was wed in 2013.  

Throughout her adult life Theresa aspired to adventure.  In 1986 she began training for a run that would eventually take her to Kenya.  There she completed a benefit 5k and was introduced to the Maasai culture, living side-by-side with a local tribe for several days.  Her love for music was deepened by this experience and she began learning about and collecting traditional instruments. She had many styles of flutes, drums, stringed instruments and others.  Her favorite instrument remained the harmonica, of which she had several, and often carried in her pocket.  In the early years of their relationship, Theresa and Pat sought out lighthouses all along the eastern US coast, though they loved Maine trips the best.  Then, in 1998, the "Two Old Crows" jumped in their RV and headed west.  A meandering initial trip landed them in San Luis Obispo, CA near Pat's family and from which they traveled all over the mid-west and west coast.  They sought out especially Spanish missions, collecting tiles from 16 of 21 historical mission sites in their travels.  Theresa was a card writer, always packing a box of cards to keep up with the birthdays of her growing group of grandchildren and special occasions back in North Carolina.  She wore a necklace of angel babies, one for each child and grandchild, where they all stayed close to her heart.  Traveling back East when she could, time spent with the grandkids included teaching games like spoons.  She loved the West Coast, however, and remained there for most of her life; tending small gardens, continuing work with Hospice, visiting Morro Bay Rock and joining drum circles.  Road tripping in the 5th wheel continued right up until she lost Pat in 2018. Theresa returned to the Carolinas in 2022 due to her own declining health, where in her final years she continued to touch the lives of those around her.

She was preceded in death by her partner and spouse of over 30 years, Patricia Zolkoski, her parents, James Francis Healey, Sr. and Mary Helen Greany Healey, and her brother James Healey, Jr.

Theresa is survived by her daughters, Karen Vohwinkel Ledford (Mark), Charlotte, NC, and Keirsten Vohwinkel Huth (Adam), Charlotte, NC; her sons, Frederick Hubert Vohwinkel, Jr (Tatjana), Pittsboro, NC, Joseph Victor Vohwinkel (Betsy), North Topsail Beach, NC, and Eric James Vohwinkel (Lisa), Wilmington, NC; her eleven grandchildren; her four great-grandchildren and the two on the way; her sister, Elizabeth Rouda (Paul); and her brothers, Timothy Healey (Louise), Michael Healey (Sharon), and Edward Healey; as well as many loving nieces and nephews.

A celebration of life is being planned for a later date.  Memorials may be made to Agape Care of South Carolina, 1326 Ebenezer Road, Rock Hill, SC 29732, who along with her caregivers at Lake Wylie Assisted Living provided compassionate end-of-life care.

M. L. Ford and Sons Funeral Home, Lake Wylie, SC is serving the family of Ms. Healey.

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