Theresa Marie Sizen, age 89, of Fort Wayne, IN passed away on Sunday, March 29, 2026, at Georgetown Place.

Born November 25, 1936, in Detroit, MI, she was the daughter of the late Patrick and Eileen (Tiplady) Sweeney. On May 16, 1959, she married the love of her life, Adam Sizen. Together, they shared 58 years of love, laughter, and adventure, including many cherished years in Valparaiso, Indiana, where they lived from 1977 to 2001 before eventually settling in Fort Wayne. Adam preceded her in death in 2017.

At her very core, Theresa was a woman of deep and abiding faith. A devoted Catholic throughout her entire life, she did not simply believe in loving thy neighbor, she lived it, every single day, in ways both grand and quiet. Her faith was not just something she practiced on Sundays; it was the foundation of how she lived and how she loved.

That love expressed itself in countless ways. Theresa had a gift for turning ordinary moments into celebrations, crafting pinecone wreaths, arranging flowers, painting ceramics, and handmaking cards for birthdays, anniversaries, and every holiday in between. Her home was always beautifully decorated for every season, not out of habit, but because bringing joy to the people around her was her greatest purpose. She organized family dinners large enough to feed the whole neighborhood and never wanted anyone to leave her table hungry, in body or in spirit.

She gave generously of her time throughout her life. As a Girl Scout troop leader for her daughters, she helped shape young lives with care and enthusiasm. During her years in Valparaiso, her faith led her to join a faith-based clown ministry, where she trained as a professional clown, known and loved as Pockets, visiting senior communities to bring laughter and a little magic to those who needed it most. Pockets always had a treat for everyone she met. After settling in Fort Wayne, she continued pouring herself into her community as a devoted member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, volunteering as a Eucharistic Minister, RCIA Sponsor, and at the school her grandchildren attended.

Despite facing significant health challenges throughout her life, Theresa met every difficulty with a grace and positivity that left people in awe. She never spoke of what she endured without first counting her blessings, and she would often simply say how grateful she was just to be here, to be with her family, her friends, and the life God had given her. She truly felt that her family was the greatest gift she had ever received, and she made sure each one of them knew it.

She was known as Grandma, not just to her own grandchildren, but to all their friends as well. Those closest to her knew her fondly as "Grandma Yes Yes," because saying no to a grandchild was simply never an option. Her love was selfless, boundless, and the kind that stays with you long after a person is gone.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Adam Sizen; her parents, Patrick and Eileen (Tiplady) Sweeney; and her brother, William Sweeney.

Left to cherish her memory are her children, Veronica (Scott) Rife of Jeffersonville, IN, Michael (Lissa) Sizen of Bellaire, MI, Lynda (Phillip) Houk of Fort Wayne, IN, Patrick (Patty) Sizen of Evansville, IN; nine grandchildren, Haley (Dillon) Hudson, Sarah Stuart, Kathryn Rife, Adam James Houk, Sierra Sizen, Victoria (William) Gordon, Jason Sizen, Nicholas (Reagan) Houk, and Christopher Sizen; and five great-grandchildren, Cale Hudson, Lillian and Nolan Stuart, Zayden Parsons and Lucy Gordon.

A funeral Mass will be held at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, April 17, 2026, at St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, 4916 Trier Road, Fort Wayne, IN 46815 with visitation one hour prior. Visitation will also be held from 4:00 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at Divine Mercy Funeral Home, 3500 Lake Avenue, Fort Wayne, IN 46805 with a Rosary recited at 3:30 p.m.  Theresa will be laid to rest at Catholic Cemetery, Fort Wayne.

Memorials can be written to the Alzheimer's Association in loving memory of her husband Adam, and to the St. Charles Endowment fund at the Catholic Community Foundation of Northeast Indiana (ccfni.fcsuite.com) in Theresa's name. Condolences can be left at www.divinemercyfuneralhome.com for the family.