Jerlene "Jerry" Teresi

Jerlene’s passing was mercifully brief, due to surgical complications. She was preceded in death by her parents, her brother Joe, her first husband Michael Brennen, and her second husband Terrell Tucker.

Jerlene is survived by son Jesse (JT) Tucker of Albuquerque, NM; her step-sons Lael and Camon Tucker, and step-grandchildren Tucker and Mack. She is also survived by her many Brennen family members who loved her as their sister and aunt, and continued to include her as part of their Brennen family. And, she had an abundance of friends who loved her dearly.

Jerry loved life and she loved people. Her most cherished moments were spending time with her family and friends. Her brilliant smile and joyful laugh were contagious, and it was extremely rare that she couldn’t find something about which to smile and laugh.

She worked with her first husband, Mike, a helicopter pilot, as his fuel truck driver. He flew to drop fire retardant on wildfires, and various other jobs, while she was always there to support him. They would travel the country together with their dog, Sarah Jane, and cat Matilda. They had many special days together in Colorado, New Mexico, and other states as they moved around the country with Mike’s various jobs. Jerry’s love for birdwatching began with Mike in The Black Hills of South Dakota.

After Mike tragically passed away in a helicopter accident, Jerlene worked for much of her life as a server in local restaurants. These included Sadie’s, the Quarters, Johndi’s, and Geezamboni’s. She loved her co-workers. She loved and remembered her customers as well as what they usually ordered!

During various errands around the city, she would frequently encounter people she knew and spend time talking to them and catching up on their lives.

Later, Jerry joined with her brother Joe’s friend, Terrell Tucker (during his motorcycle and hot rod days), and they married. She was overjoyed to learn she was expecting. Her love for her son was unparalleled.

She greatly looked forward to regular reunions with the folks whom she worked with, and her friends from school. She maintained close friendships with a wide variety of friends, many of whom she knew from childhood. She frequently expressed her joy at having so many close friends. Nothing made her happier than spending quality time with them.

Jerlene was a voracious reader. Nothing compared to a good book. On a day that might seem slow to others, she would often say that she had plenty to do, keeping up with her reading!

Jerry was a staunch friend and ally, as well as a true caretaker. She could be depended on to help her friends, accompanying them to the hospital if necessary. She devoted almost two years to tirelessly caring of her ex-husband, Terrell, prior to his death in March 2025.

Jerlene had a special place in her heart for all kinds of wildlife. She would never kill a spider, taking care to scoop it up and escort it carefully outside. She loved living in her home, designed by her father Joe, where the views of the Sandias from her tall windows are amazing. She was devoted to feeding the local wildlife and took immense joy in the birds, flocks of hummingbirds, mule deer, and the occasional bear that came to visit.

Jerlene deeply embraced the beauty of life and helped those around her to see it too. Thank you, Jerry, for being part of our lives and for bringing such joy to us. We will never forget you.