Terri Lee Caruso (Eccles) was born April 9, 1954 in Fresno, California to Bill and Wilma Eccles. She would later be joined in life by her sister Cindy and brother Billy.

As a child, Terri loved riding and tending to her horse Gimlet and camping in the mountains. She developed a strong relationship with Jesus Christ from a very young age. She was raised and confirmed in Our Saviors Lutheran Church and later graduated from Hoover High School.

From the moment her 3 children were born, Terri devoted every ounce of herself to being the most loving, supporting mother anyone could possibly ask for. She was very involved in her children's interests, serving as a Girl Scout troop leader for several years, a Sunday School teacher, and a Confirmation Guide. As a single parent, she was constantly shuttling her children to athletic, musical, and social events; however, she relished every minute. Her fondest memories were of annual family trips to the coast with her sister / best friend and her nephews with whom she had a very special bond.

As her children became adults, Terri used her time to serve others. She was involved in various Bible studies, prayer teams, and community service organizations including Hospice, Prison Ministries, and the Salvation Army.

Terri's greatest joy in life was to be a grandmother (Omi) to Carly and Camryn. She formed a very special bond with both granddaughters when she was their babysitter for several years. Her happiest days of the week were Sundays when she would take the girls to Sunday School, followed by a trip to McDonald's and baking cookies / various art crafts in Omi's kitchen.

Terri is survived by her son Christopher and his wife Nicole; her daughter Cindy and her fiancé Derek; her son Alex and partner Mike; her granddaughters Carly and Camryn; her sister Cindy; her brother Billy and his wife Lindsie; her nephews Jimmy and Josh, and her many granddoggies. Terri is preceded in death by her mother Wilma; her father Bill; her stepfather Dale; and her brother-in-law Jim.

Terri often took comfort from the following quote from Doctor Seuss when she was sad that things had come to an end...
"Don't cry because it's over, smile because it happened."

Donations: Here's a link to the Kairos of California donation page.
There's a Click to Pledge link on it, and a place there to designate the funds in
someone's memory and to a specific chapter (Central CA Women).

https://kairosofcalifornia.org/donate.htm

If you prefer to write a check, they can make it payable to Central CA Women's Kairos and mail it to:
PO Box 131, Clovis CA 93613
with a memo stating Terri Lee Caruso.