Obituaries

Therese ‘Terry’ Pounds (Joiner): 1927-2024

Therese “Terry” Pounds (Joiner), 97, of Montclair, NJ died peacefully surrounded by family at Mountainside Hospital on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. Beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt, cousin and friend, Terry was born a ‘survivor,’ having lost her mother who died soon after her birth in 1927 in New York City. She subsequently lived all over the world as a self-described “army brat” after her father, Colonel Talley Dosier Joiner, remarried and reclaimed “his little Therese” from her aunts who raised her until she was six. After graduating from Columbia High School in Maplewood, NJ, Terry briefly attended college at Trinity, DC, then decided to go to Katharine Gibbs Secretarial School in NJ. The skills she learned there served her well at her first secretarial jobs in Manhattan, then later at Montclair Kimberly Academy in Montclair where she worked for almost twenty years in the Office of External Affairs. She was proud of her mastery of the rules of English grammar, and many relied on her to proofread their letters. After the death of her husband in 1978, Terry set up a Montclair chapter of THEOS, a nationwide non-denominational support group for widowed men and women. She ran the group for approximately ten years and created friendships from that work that lasted until her death. She was also involved with the Friends of Barnet and the Montclair Fine Arts Festival.

Terry was predeceased in death by her husband, Donald Pounds, her son Richard, her beloved companions, Arthur Jones and Fred Berinato, and her sisters Lucy and Claire. She is survived by her son Donald Pounds and his companion Patrice Holtzer, daughter Mary Pounds Sisler, daughter-in-law Bette Pounds, sons James Pounds (Bethany) and Thomas Pounds (Liljana), daughter Virginia Pounds, sons Michael Pounds (Catherine) and John Pounds. She was the proud grandmother of sixteen grandchildren and five great-grandchildren: Katy, Austin, Colleen, Connor, Jordan, Jason, Jeremy, Natalie, Anika, Evan, Noah, Ben, Eli, Max, Harper and Nolan; Scarlett, Emma, Carson, Peyton and Wesley. She is also survived by a large extended family and countless friends.

Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, November 9 at 10 a.m. at Immaculate Conception Church, 30 N. Fullerton Ave., Montclair, NJ 07042, followed by interment of ashes at Immaculate Conception Cemetery in Upper Montclair.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Terry’s name to The Release Recovery Foundation at: https://donate.hakuapp.com/donations/new?fundraising_effort=in-loving-memory-of-therese-terry-pounds.

Catherine Lynn Birr

02/24/1958 - 01/11/2025

Text:

Obituary For Catherine Lynn Birr

To know even one life breathed easier because she lived is to know she truly succeeded while here." -Anonymous

It is with tremendous sadness we share the unexpected loss of our beloved mother, Cathy Birr, on January 11th, 2025. Cathy was born February 24th, 1958 in Toledo, Ohio to Alice and Edward Bell.

Cathy graduated in 1976 from Whitney high school. She started her career at Gem, Industrial in 1984 and continued there until her retirement in June of 2023. It was a funny story to tell that she was so well loved because she was the payroll supervisor; however, anyone who knew her knew that wasn’t the only reason she was adored.

Cathy, who was affectionately referred to as wawa by her grandchildren, was truly one of a kind. The nickname wawa caught on and was used by almost everyone, including friends and coworkers. Cathy was the matriarch, the organizer, the planner, the giver of all things, the one you called when you had a question, and the one you called to tell what happened during your day. She was the most selfless human being who you could count on no matter what. She loved fiercely and protected her family and friends like no other. The void that is to come will be devastating to all those who loved her. She made sure everyone was taken care of, including neighbors who now refer to her as “their best friend.” To know her was to love her and we are truly broken that she was taken from us too soon.

Mom enjoyed riding her bike or sitting on the front porch with the grandbabies or family and friends. Her backyard was a gathering place for all to come together. We made so many wonderful memories out there in the pool and on the deck. The garage also became the formal dining room with rows and rows of chairs and tables at numerous parties and holidays. All were welcome. She also loved her Hallmark movies and could often be found watching a Christmas special even if it was the middle of July. She loved to read and was a woman of faith who led by example.

Cathy is survived by her two children, Shondie Williams and Chris Birr; grandchildren, Bryce, Mia, and Maci; great grandchildren, Zade and Zander; brothers, Eddie (Dessie) and Donnie Bell; sister, Beverly Bell; and numerous family members including cousins, nieces and nephews. She is preceded in death by her parents, Edward and Alice Bell; her brother, Jim (Faye) Bell, and sister Terri (Wayne) Marckel; her son in law, Matthew Williams; and her nephews, Cory Bell, Mike and Joe Marckel.

Family and friends will be received Sunday, January 19th from 2-6 pm at Witzler Shank Walker funeral home, 222 E South Boundary, Perrysburg (419) 792-3786. The funeral services will held Monday, January 20th at 10:30 am at St. Rose Catholic Church, 215 E Front St, Perrysburg.

In lieu of flowers, we know Cathy would love it if we continued on her legacy of providing help with the elderly community. She would often take her friends to church, dinner, and just provide great company. Donations could be made to your local mobile meals.

Condolences may be made to the family online at www.walkerfuneralhomes.com.

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