Theresa Elizabeth McArdle

SUN CITY WEST - "Life is short, eat dessert first", that was her favorite saying. Theresa Elizabeth McArdle died of a massive stroke on Thursday, Feb. 9th, 2017 in Phoenix.Theresa was born on Jul. 6, 1934 in Brooklyn, N.Y. to Thomas and Lillian Gilligan. A feisty Irish girl, Theresa was raised in the Catholic Church. While attending Richmond Hill High school she met Joseph C. McArdle at a basketball game where they were introduced by one of Joe's teammates. That was the beginning of a love story that lasted 65 years. After she graduated from High school, the couple was married in 1954 at Our Lady of Angels RC church in Brooklyn, N.Y.Theresa and Joseph raised six children, Kathryn, Joseph, Michael, Rory, Timothy and Mary Kathleen. While raising her children Theresa also worked for Hertz in California and in real estate sales and property management in Arizona. Her husband's job as an aerospace field engineer took them from New York to Maryland, Rhode Island, Texas, Iran and California. Upon retirement the couple moved to Sun City West, where they both volunteered with the Sheriff's Posse of Sun City West, participated in some SCW bowling leagues, and travelled the world together during vacations. She is preceded in death by her sons, Rory and Timothy. Her surviving family members include husband, Joseph C. McArdle; children, Kathryn McArdle, Joe McArdle, Michael (Bobbi) McArdle, and Mary Kathleen (Roy) Younggren; and three grandchildren, Rachel Percuocco (Tony), MacKenzie McArdle and Matthew Younggren. She also leaves behind many beloved cousins, and extended family members too numerous list.There will be a Memorial Mass at Our Lady of Lourdes RC Church, 19002 N 128th Ave, Sun City West, AZ 85375 on Mar. 18th, 2017 at 10 a.m. A reception for the family and close friends will follow.