Theresa Marie Gainey, age 82, died peacefully on Sunday, December 31, 2017 at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach. She was born in New York on October 14, 1935 and was the fifth of seventeen children born to Michael and Kitty McInerney. She attended St. Anselms Catholic School in the Bronx. At age 20 she married Bill Gainey in New York and became a homemaker. They were blessed with their first two sons: Bill and Tim. The family moved to Atlanta Georgia in 1960 where they had three more sons and a daughter: TF, Chris, Ed, and Mary. It was in Georgia that Theresa developed her love for watching golf. When the family moved to California, they had their final child and second daughter: Geri. Theresa enjoyed playing golf, bowling (her best score was a 299!) and was a Bingo aficionado! She passed on her athletic skills and passion for playing to her children whose games she attended without fail. Her voice was one not to be ignored in the stands as she made her knowledge and opinions of the game known! She ran a tight ship as a mother of seven, but she loved each of her children fiercely. Her softer side came out when she became “Nana” to her nine grandchildren. Her home was heaven for Michael, Megan, Matt, Katlyn, Josh, Kylie, Kelsey, Zach, and Kevin where they could always count on her famous pancakes, mac and cheese, endless supply of candy, and Haggen-Dazs ice cream bars! As “Nana”, she loved to attend their sporting events and various activities at school and genuinely beamed with pride at all of her grandchildren’s accomplishments. Theresa valued family and friends and travelled near and far to spend time with the ones she loved. She had a booming voice and a hearty laugh that could be heard for miles. And those Irish eyes carried a twinkling smile that stole our hearts away! To celebrate Theresa’s life, a Funeral Mass will be held on Friday, January 19, 2018 at 6pm – Christ Our Savior Parish (2000 W. Alton Ave. Santa Ana, 92704). Please join us after the mass for a Bingo Reception at Mater Dei High School (1202 W. Edinger Ave. Santa Ana 92707). In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Helen Steves Honorary Fund (supporting needy families in Catholic Education) c/o Mater Dei High School.

 Service Information