Teresa Pagliai

Teresa O’Brien Pagliai, age 55, lifelong resident of Kirksville, Missouri passed away February 22, 2016 surrounded by many of those she loved most.

The beloved daughter of Leland and Crystal Terrell O’Brien was born on October 14, 1960. Teresa was united in marriage to Daniel Richard Pagliai on September 15, 1984. They are the parents of two children.

Teresa is survived by her husband Danny of 31 years, son Brian Pagliai of Annapolis, MD and her daughter, Kristen Pagliai of the home. Survivors also include her mother, Crystal O’Brien of the home, and father-in-law, Emil Pagliai of Bevier, brothers and sisters-in-law Michael and Donna O’Brien and Larry and Eva Jean O’Brien of Kirksville, sisters-in law and brothers-in law, June and Kemper Walker, Laura and Bobby Edwards, Anita Pagliai and Tim Pagliai. Nephews and nieces, Curtis O’Brien, Keenan O’Brien, Lee O’Brien, Kelli Baker, Zach Walker, Anjanette Walker, Zane Walker, Lee Edwards, Reid Edwards and Ceianna Edwards, aunts Kathleen Zornes and Inez Terrell and uncle Edgar Terrell. Also surviving are nine great nieces and nephews and two “daughters of her heart” Erin Zoumaras and Leah and Ben Rosemergy and daughter, Teresa’s granddaughter Heidi, all of whom she loved very much. She was preceded in death by her beloved brother Steven Patrick O’Brien and father Leland O’Brien.

Teresa was raised on the O’Brien century family farm in the Sperry community. She attended the Sperry Country School for one year. She graduated in 1978 from Kirksville Senior High School and in 1983 from Truman State University with a B.S. in Consumer Finance and a B.S. in Clothing and Textiles. While attending college she was a Lil’ Sis in the Delta Chi Fraternity, a member of Alpha Sigma Tau Sorority and worked at the college newspaper The INDEX. After graduating from college, Teresa worked for one year as the assistant to the Director of the Kirksville Chamber of Commerce. In July 1984, she began her career that spanned over 31 years as the Executive Director of NEMO Senior Citizens Services, Inc. She was active in many organizations and committees that involved her work. She thoroughly enjoyed her involvement in many local clubs and organizations.

Teresa was an active and faithful member of First United Methodist Church in Kirksville until her failing health no longer permitted. She was a member of P.E.O. Chapter IG, Sojourners Club (past president), Quota International of Kirksville (past president), Adair County Health Department Advisory Board (secretary), Saddle Club, Friends of the Library, El Kadir Jewels, Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce, Truman State University Alumni Chapter and Kirksville Booster Club. She was also active in the Adair County United Way where she served as the Director of a partner agency and volunteer for over 31 years. She was inducted into the United Way Hall of Fame in February of 2014.

She enjoyed her children’s many activities including baseball, softball, football, wrestling, music, scouting and church activities. She was their number one cheerleader.

Teresa loved her family and her friends deeply and with amazing care. Danny, Brian and Kristen loved her to the moon and back. Everyone did. You never had any doubt you were one of her “50 best friends”. Many have been lucky enough to even be “adopted” into her large and loving extended family. She was a lifelong caretaker to many with unfailing dedication. She was also quite the social butterfly and always up for activities with friends and family. She loved to entertain in her home and was an amazing cook and gracious and welcoming hostess to all she gathered together.

A funeral service will be held at 3:00 p.m. Saturday, February 27, 2016 at the First United Methodist Church in Kirksville, Missouri with Pastor Richard Northcutt officiating the service. Burial will be in the Highland Park Cemetery.

Pallbearers will be Curtis O’Brien, Keenan O’Brien, Lee O’Brien, Brett Baker, Zach Walker, Zane Walker, Lee Edwards and Reid Edwards. Honorary pallbearers will be Mary Playle, Kim and Jim LeBaron, Pam Windtberg, Jamey and Bridget Morton, and Dennis Van Sickel.

Visitation will be after 12:00 p.m. Friday, February 26, 2016 with the family receiving friends from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at the

Davis-Playle-Hudson-Rimer Funeral Home
2100 E. Shepard Avenue Kirksville, MO 63501
665-3744 or 665-2233

An expression of sympathy in memory of Teresa O’Brien Pagliai may be made to the First United Methodist Church.