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March 13, 1965 – October 12, 2024

Harbinger, NC – Theresa Marie Armendarez ascended to heaven on October 12, 2024 and now rests in the arms of our father.

Born in Lynwood, CA, on March 13, 1965, she is survived by her husband, Larry, son Grayson, mother Monica, father Jesus (Jess), sister Barbara and brothers Robert, Raymond, Rick Anthony, and Jeffrey.

She was preceded in death by her youngest sister Jessica.

Theresa led a life of service throughout her career – she received her BA in Communications from the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Arizona State University and a JD from U.C. Law of San Francisco.

Theresa was a loving wife to her husband Larry and a caring mother to her only son, Grayson, born in 2002. Her love for her family and her passion for children drove her early career as a formidable juvenile public defender in Phoenix, AZ, who advocated successfully for the rights of her young clients. In 2010 she moved with her husband and son to the Outer Banks of North Carolina where she transitioned into non-profit executive leadership. She led a successful team of volunteers for two years at the Beach Food Pantry in Kitty Hawk, overseeing a major building expansion. She briefly moved with her family to Connecticut in 2017 and led New London’s Higher Edge, helping first generation high school and low socioeconomic students enroll and matriculate through college. She returned to the Outer Banks in 2019 leading Port Discover in Elizabeth City before settling into her final role as Executive Director at the Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo, NC.

Theresa’s strong grant writing skills brought hundreds of thousands of dollars to the non-profits she served and made immeasurable impacts to those communities.

Larry and Theresa celebrated their 30th wedding anniversary on October 8th just prior to her passing.

A celebration of Theresa’s life will be held at Kitty Hawk United Methodist Church on Friday, October 18th at 1 p.m. with a reception immediately following at the church.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made in her name to The Elizabethan Gardens in Manteo (elizabethangardens.org), the Beach Food Pantry in Kitty Hawk (beachfoodpantry.org) or Outer Banks Health Cowell Cancer Center in Nags Head, NC (give.ecuhealthfoundation.org).

Twiford Funeral Homes, Outer Banks is assisting the family with arrangements. Condolences and memories may be shared at www.TwifordFH.com.

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