THERESA SUE (SUDBRACK) TOWNSEND

Theresa (Teri) Sue Townsend

1952-2022

Teri was born November 15, 1952 to Ted and Mary Sudbrack in Indianapolis, Indiana.  Teri had a brother named Bill and a sister named Mary Lou.  The Sudbrack family moved to Anaheim, California during the mid-1960’s.  Being from Indianapolis, Teri loved the Indianapolis 500 race.  She would watch it whenever she could.

Teri’s father, Ted, worked various jobs relating to electronics.  Her mother was a homemaker.  In addition, Ted was a magician and a clown.  He performed shows for birthday parties, family events and for any customer wishing to have him.  The magic connection led to Ted working together with Steve Schreiner in a magic business called “Conjur Comics”. In later years, Ted would manufacture magic tricks along with his performing magic. He was a lifetime member of the Magic Castle in Hollywood.

Teri would meet her future husband Frank in 1968 while she and her father visited Steve’s home to talk magic.  Frank was a good friend of Steve’s son and was already at the house. The ground work had begun.

Teri graduated from Anaheim High School in 1971. 

Teri and Frank were married February 29, 1972 at the Church of the Reflections located at Knott’s Berry Farm, Buena Park, California.

Since Frank was in the Air Force at the time, Teri and Frank moved to Las Vegas, Nevada since he was stationed at Nellis Air Force Base located just east of Las Vegas.  In 1973, after completing Frank’s enlistment, they moved to Anaheim where Teri worked in electronic jobs and Frank worked for the Postal Service.

In 1975, their daughter Dawn was born.

In 1978, Teri, Frank and Dawn moved to Riverside, California where they live to this day.

In 1980, their son Mike was born.

Teri attended Riverside JC and learned American Sign Language.  She enjoyed using Sign Language and would use it to communicate with the deaf and others. It meant a lot to her.

Teri started performing as a clown and a magician.  Her stage name was Starlit.  She became an excellent magician and clown.  Teri joined the Western Region Clown Association stayed with it until it folded.

Teri loved to crochet and draw.  Her drawings of people and places were very good.  She also loved to read.  Reading would keep her up at night but that’s what she wanted to do.  She would take long hours doing those things she liked to do.

Besides Dawn and Mike, Teri and Frank have three grandchildren, Kyle, Holly and Julian.  She loved her children and grandchildren.  She found great joy and happiness being with them.  Teri would help teaching them various things they needed for school or life.  She would pick them up from school and take them home.  She would help them in any way she could.  It brought her a feeling of closeness and love that could not be destroyed.

Later in life, Teri started having difficulties walking and would have to use a cane.  She did not allow this to stop her from doing those things she wanted to do.  Those around her would help her if she needed the help. 

She always wanted to be around people as it gave her a sense of being wanted.  It also gave her a purpose in life.  Teri gave as much as she got and she enjoyed life to its fullest.

Sadly, she passed away July 24, 2022 at 3:30am.  She may be gone but she is not forgotten.  Teri will live on with all of us.

The Memorial Service will be held Saturday, August 13, 2002 at 11:00AM at Grimes-Akes Family's "Grace Chapel", Corona, California.

Arrangements entrusted tot he care of Akes Family Funeral Home, Riverside, California.

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