Obituary of Theresa Kay Nyberg

Theresa Kay Nyberg, (known as “Terry” to friends and family) 71, Minneapolis, MN. Died November 29, 2015, at 2:10 AM, after a long struggle with an autoimmune disorder. She was preceded in death by her parents, Morrie and Kay Matthews, and is survived by her brother, Steven Matthews, her sister, Nancy Wiggins, her two adult children by her first marriage, Matthew and Cassie Nyberg, and her partner of over 35 years, Dale Houstman. In the 1960s, she was one of the leaders of the local PLP (Progressive Labor Party) and remained involved in politics via union activity in her nursing career. For over 40 years, she was a dedicated RN, and worked in many areas of nursing, spending most of her career as a visiting nurse for MVNA (Minnesota Visiting Nurses Association). She enjoyed having books read to her by her partner, flower gardening, playing cribbage, taking walks in the park, watching movies, telling her partner that he wasn’t funny, and listening to music of all sorts. One of her favorite songs was “I’ll Be Seeing You” as sung by Judy Collins. Her partner sang it to her during her last hours, which he spent comforting her and speaking of their lives together, the plans they had, the joys and sorrows of life itself... “Cathedral bells were tolling and our hearts sang on; Was it the spell of Paris or the April dawn? Who knows if we shall meet again? But when the morning chimes ring sweet again... I'll be seeing you in all the old familiar places..” Theresa was cremated per her wishes. In her last months and days, she was lovingly cared for by her partner, and also– in the last days - by the kind and capable caregivers of Park Nicollet Methodist Hospital Hospice, which an eternity will not be long enough to thank them for their kindness and care. As both she and her partner were non-theists, they did not ritualize death, and so she asked that there be no formal memorial ceremony. Anyone wishing to gather and remember her is encouraged to do so informally. Anyone wishing to celebrate Theresa’s own life of caregiving should gift the Hospice Excellence Fund of Park Nicollet Medical Foundation, checks may be sent to Park Nicollet Foundation, 6500 Excelsior Boulevard, St Louis Park, MN 55426, including a note mentioning the specific fund. It can also be done online at parknicollet.com/foundation.