Esther Ann Overton Teal, 85, died on Wednesday, May 24, 2017, just six years and one day after her late husband, Walter B. Teal, Sr. died.
Ann was born to Bella (Carrie) and Willis Overton on July 4, 1931, and was raised in Somerville and Medford, MA. Ann has joined her loving husband, Walter, mother Bella, father Willis, sister Hazel Emery, and extended family in heaven.
A quick learner and talented musician, she graduated from Medford High School at 16 and attended New England Conservatory of Music to study piano and music theory. In high school and at NE Conservatory, she was a piano accompanist at the Somerville Conservatory in the dance program. She was a Specialty Risks Rater for the Liberty Mutual Insurance Company in Boston before marrying the love of her life, Walter in 1953. She was active as a Girl Scout leader, Church Deaconess, filled her home with piano music, and dedicated her life to her three children through college graduation and beyond. Their family took annual camping trips throughout New England and the east coast. Later, she would return to work for the US Census Bureau and the IRS. Walter and Ann raised their family in West Medford and Stoneham, MA, before retiring to Signal Mountain, TN in 2004. At Alexian Village, she was an active member of her book club and Bible Study. She loved to read and always had several books going at one time.
Spending time with her family was Ann’s greatest joy. Ann celebrated her 85th birthday last year surrounded by her family. She instilled a love of family into every generation and made many sacrifices to ensure a happy and fulfilled life for everyone.
She is survived by sister, Dorothy Charles of Waltham, MA; daughter, Joyce Teal of Hixson; sons Walter and Shelley Teal of Medford, MA, and Roy and Debbie Teal of Chattanooga; granddaughter Laura (Heinlein) and Ben Lilly of Cumming, GA; grandsons, Erich and Heather Heinlein of Chattanooga; Tim and Jesse Teal of Boston; Luke and Anna Teal of Dover, NH; Matt and Alex Teal of Boston; and Justin Teal of Boston; and great-grandsons, Max Lilly, Manny Teal, and Cyrus Teal.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to Caritas, Alexian Brothers Foundation, 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mountain, TN 37377, or to the ministry of Walter and Shelley Teal payable to The Navigators (Teal ID:23812852), P.O. Box 6079, Albert Lea, MN 56007-6679, http://www.navigators.org/FindStaff/StaffPages?username=Teal.
Ann’s family extends a heartfelt thank you to Alexian Brothers of Signal Mountain, Hospice of Chattanooga, medical team, friends, and extended family who enriched Ann’s life and transition into heaven.
A celebration of Ann’s life will be held on Sunday, May 28, at 2 p.m. in the St. Augustine Chapel of Alexian Village, 437 Alexian Way, Signal Mtn, TN. Interment will be in Spring Grove Cemetery, Andover, MA, at a later date.
Please visit www.heritagechattanooga.com to share words of comfort to the family. Arrangements are by Heritage Funeral Home, 7454 E. Brainerd Road.