Thelma Ann Tennis

Sadly, Thelma Ann Tennis, née Wilde, passed away on 25 October, 2021. She was a deeply caring and devoted mother, wife, grandmother, great grandmother and friend to many. 

Thelma was born and raised in Liverpool England to Margaret Ann Wilde, née Laven, and Albert Ernest Wilde on the 21 August 1932. Thelma had a rich and unique life, though not without hard work and grit - mainstays of life in the north of England in those years. Upon completing school, Thelma an ambitious young woman, still a teenager, was employed by the firm of Vernons and later Littlewoods. She was also employed by well-known English botanist Mister Harry Wheatcroft. Mister Wheatcroft was the creator of many species of English roses which grace English gardens today. 

In her early twenties Thelma planned to emigrate to Australia.  A bold ambition for a young, single woman of that era. She was a consummate ballroom dancer with a rich social life she shared with her large circle of friends.  She continued drawing loving people into her life until the end. These many friends, like family, expressed their love for her during the good years and helped her as her health declined in her twilight.  

In 1954 Thelma, the big city proper English girl met the small-town United States Air Force boy Jerry Creighton Tennis who was stationed in England. In time, a yearlong engagement followed; a time they said was magical. Thelma and Jerry were married in Liverpool at Saint Margaret Mary’s Catholic church on the 4 of June 1955. 

Thelma is survived by her two sons, Steven James Tennis, Stuart Gregory Tennis, grandsons Sean and Reid Tennis, Leo Tennis her great grandson. Additionally, she is survived by her large extended family in the United Kingdom including her sister Dorothy Joan Clarke, née Wilde. Thelma dearly loved and shared a cherished relationship with her sister. 

Her husband, Jerry Creighton Tennis of Cottage Grove Oregon preceded her in death passing away in 2011. She grieved the loss of her husband for all her remaining years. 

She will be forever missed by her family and friends who loved her dearly. 

Funeral Rosary and Funeral Mass will be held November 16, 2021, 10:30am at Saint Frances Cabrini Catholic Church. 5715 108th Street SW. Lakewood, WA. 98499

Interment November 17, 2021, 11:30am at Tahoma National Cemetery, 18600 SE. 240th Street, Kent, Washington 98042 at 11:30am

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