Theresa Mary Wainwright, age 63, of Plymouth, Michigan, passed away on July 21, 2026. Born in Detroit, Michigan, on January 20, 1963, she was the beloved daughter of the late Jim and Marjorie W. McLaughlin and wife of Jeff Wainwright.

A woman of deep empathy, genuine warmth, strong religious faith, and quiet strength, Theresa was defined by her sincerity, depth of personal character, honesty, and straightforward nature. She was a natural hugger and conversationalist who made everyone around her feel instantly valued and cared for. Above all else, her primary passion in life was her family and a deep bond with her truly best friend, her husband. Her life circled around the incredible relationship she and Jeff worked so hard to keep vibrant. Her greatest pride came from raising her sons with the strong moral compass, compassion, and loving spirit that defined her own life.

Theresa enjoyed a long and successful career in finance as a banker, both in lending and in federal vault management, before starting her family. She later embarked on an entrepreneurial journey with Jeff, building their business, Paradise Park, from the ground up. Through Paradise Park, her impact extended far into the community. She formed close and lasting relationships with her staff, taking immense joy in mentoring teenage employees and watching them grow into highly successful adults. A woman of surprising grit as well as elegant grace, she also earned a Black Belt in Tae Kwon Do—a testament to her determination and drive.

Theresa was famous at home for her incredible green thumb, possessing the rare ability to nurse almost any struggling plant back to perfect health. She even managed the impossible task of keeping tropical plants thriving through Michigan winters, reflecting the deep care and nurturing she gave to her staff. For relaxation, she loved losing herself in a good book, catching up on the news side-by-side with Jeff with a glass of wine, or simply being surrounded by her family. Above all, she never let a visit or phone call end without saying, "I love you," ensuring those she cherished always knew exactly how much they were loved.

Theresa is survived by her devoted husband, Jeff; her beloved sons, Gregory and Justin; her daughter-in-law, Chene; Justin’s partner, Myranda, her beloved dog, Bandit and her 23 year old cockatiel, Cory. She was preceded in death by her mother and father, Marjorie W. and Jim McLaughlin.

A memorial service will be held on Tuesday, July 28, 2026, at 4:00 PM at O'Brien-Sullivan Funeral Home, 41555 Grand River Ave, Novi, MI 48375. Visitation will continue after the Memorial Service until 6:00 PM.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made in her honor to the American Cancer Society.
https://www.cancer.org/