Obituary of Theresa Grace Ackerman

Theresa Grace Ackerman (Alongi) “Terry” KENT - Theresa (Alongi) Ackerman, 82, passed away on November 17, 2021 at home after an 18 year battle with multiple myeloma. Born in Highland Park, Michigan on September 28, 1939, to parents Charles R. and Julia B. Alongi, Theresa was raised in Highland Park and graduated from Highland Park High School in 1957. She began her career working in the accounting field for small companies in the Detroit area. In 1957, she met the love of her life, Navy Petty Officer John Ackerman. After two years of courting, they were married in Detroit on April 20, 1959 and embarked on an adventure that took them to distant corners of the world. In 1964, son James entered their lives. Their travels took them to Akron, Norfolk, VA, New London, CT, Holy Loch, Scotland, San Diego, CA, and Pearl Harbor, HI. While in San Diego, she earned her Associates Degree in Accounting from Grossmont Junior College, winning the Montgomery Ward Outstanding Female Junior College Business Student Award for the San Diego area. She began a second career serving the church in various ministries, including Director of Religious Education at the Naval Base Chapel in Pearl Harbor until John retired in 1987 and they returned to their home in Santee. Theresa enrolled in the Religious Studies Program at the University of San Diego, graduating in 1999. She went on to serve at Guardian Angels as its Director of Religious Education, culminated by her installation as the church’s first Pastoral Assistant. Theresa returned to the accounting field, joining the staff of Levine & Swedler, CPAs based in Montrose, and retiring there in 1995. She still maintained close ties to her church in various capacities at Holy Family in Stow and St. Patrick’s in Kent, as a lector and member of the liturgy committees of both parishes. She continued serving the Lord as a member of St. Patrick’s prison ministry, serving until her declining health dictated her leaving in 2020. Preceded in death by her parents, Theresa is survived by her husband of 62 years, John; son James and wife Allison; grandchildren, Samantha and Matthew; brother, Charles, and numerous uncles, aunts, cousins, nieces, and nephews. The Ackerman family would like to recognize her Cleveland Clinic oncology team; Dr. Jason Valent, PA Kimberly Hamilton, and RN Janice Reed, and the Clinics Home Hospice RN Kellie Armbruster. Their efforts provided Theresa with the highest degree of care and treatment. Mass of Christian Burial Monday, 11 AM at St. Patrick Catholic Church, 313 N. Depeyster Street, Kent 44240, where friends may call from 10 AM until service time. A light lunch will be served at 1 PM at The Overlook, 1519 Overlook Road, Kent, Ohio (intersects at Rte 43 N). Inurnment will be at the Great Lakes National Cemetery in Holly, Michigan, where a celebration of Theresa’s life will be held. Theresa would like to see her legacy remembered by donating to the International Myeloma Foundation (myeloma.org) in lieu of flowers.