Mary Theresa Jordan, 49, of Beaumont, passed away on Tuesday, October 2, 2012, at St. Luke Episcopal Hospital, in Houston. She was born on November 7, 1962, in Port Arthur, to Vina M. Fulcher Jordan and Daniel W. Jordan, Jr.

Theresa served in the Texas State Guard and was discharged honorably after attaining the rank of Staff Sergeant. She attended Seton Hill University in Greensburg, Pennsylvania and Lamar University-Beaumont.  Theresa worked as a substitute teacher for the Beaumont Independent School District.  She cherished her time with friends in the Bear Threads Quilting Bee and The Golden Triangle Quilt Guild.

In spite of the challenges she faced, she would want everyone to know that her healthy years far outnumbered those in which she was ill. Theresa felt that her purpose in life was to help her doctors learn from her experience so that they could help others with similar conditions.

By the grace of God and the kindness of an anonymous donor, Theresa was given an extension of her life the past ten years through a heart transplant. We are all grateful for the extra time we were granted with our beloved, however, we know she is now at peace.

Survivors include her parents, Vina and Daniel W. Jordan, Jr.; life partner, Marty Petkovsek; seven brothers and sisters, Dan, Charles, Nina, Catherine, Joseph, Madeline and Mary; and eleven nieces and nephews.

A memorial Mass will be celebrated at 3:00 p.m., Friday, October 5, 2012, at St. Anne Catholic Church, 2715 Calder Avenue, Beaumont, under the direction of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddin Avenue. A gathering of Ms. Jordan’s family and friends will immediately follow at Broussard’s Event Centré, 1775 Calder Avenue, Beaumont.

Memorial contributions may be made to the transplant support group, The Heart Exchange, 6720 Bertner Avenue, MC 4-129, Houston, Texas 77030.