Theresa Ann (Cormier) Homiski

Preston – Theresa Ann Homiski passed away peacefully on November 2, 2025, with “her boys” close at heart. Terri was born on November 1st to her parents Leonard Cormier and Lucy (Leone) Cormier on the heels of the 1938 hurricane that battered Norwich. Terri was snug as a bug in Lucy’s womb in the basement crawl space on September 21st as the windows blew in; a fear Lucy would never overcome. At a young age Terri would walk with her grandmother from Happy Street down “Jail Hill” to the beautiful city of Norwich. Her little brother Lenny most certainly cried that he couldn’t go, but there was plenty of time for them to bicker as younglings. She loved him dearly for a lifetime.  Her first-born, John W Homiski Jr arrived in August of 1963 and her second son Michael Leonard Homiski in December of 1964. Immediately upon giving birth both times she uttered the words “I’m glad he’s a boy so he won’t have to endure the pain of childbirth”. Despite her instinctive nature to protect her babies, she didn’t hover as we grew but always gave us age-appropriate freedoms. When we got banged up as boys, she wrapped her arms around us and when often needed she had no problem providing timely discipline that shaped our lives forever. She held us accountable, instilled confidence, modeled commitment to family and taught us to respect our elders and to respect women. Thank you, mom, for loving us that much. Her third greatest joy in life was her five grandchildren Caleb Charles, Nathan John, Gabriel Peter, Chad Michael and Shania Sue (Powell). She formed a special bond with each, with no clear favorite. There were many overnight stays, and she was equally happy to see them leave after they wore her out. She was dynamic, taking them on day trips and even weekend trips to the likes of cape cod. She had a fear of swimming but made sure they all had swimming lessons in the pool she had installed just for them. She showed us all how important and special a grandmother’s love can be, and it’s forever embedded in who we are.  Her fourth significant joy in life was her job as a paraprofessional in the Preston School system where she interacted and developed relationships with so many kids. She organized several minstrels back in the day at middle school and monitored the lunchroom daily. Surprisingly enough, she regularly modeled joy but held the kids accountable when needed, and they loved her just the same. Terri had a glass half full personality. She was strong-willed, loyal and ethical. She preferred humor, laughter and happiness over gloom and doom. She was blessed in so many ways with loving parents, a wonderful second dad (Herman A. Johnson), two sons, 5 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren and one still cooking. But her greatest joy and the love of her life began and ended with her late husband of 64 years, John W. Homiski Sr. Love was never in doubt. They had a bond that couldn’t be broken and a love affair that was beautiful to watch as a young child and admirable to consider as an aging adult. As her memory faded, she struggled tremendously knowing they were apart, and she couldn’t understand why. She begged him to “come back to her”, when in fact he never left her. In her confusion she asked if they could go to Maine one more time. His delicate and soft-spoken answer was “sure, when we’re all better, we’ll both go to Maine”. She said “great, I’d go anywhere with you”. As tough as that was to witness, and with tears flowing, there was so much grace and beauty to behold in that moment. Thank you, mom and dad, for that final lesson. John and Terri’s combined ashes will be spread on the property in Maine. Rest in peace mom and dad. Never wanted to say goodbye. Hope to see you on the other side one day. We love you always.

Your boys,

Jody and Michael

Funeral services will be held 11:00AM Decemeber 6, 2025  at Cathedral of St. Patrick Norwich, CT followed by a celebration of life.

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