Teresa Bowen, age 68, a resident of Portland, passed away on Sunday, October 11, 2026, at Lutheran Hospital in Fort Wayne.

Teresa was born on October 6, 1958, in Charleston, South Carolina, the daughter of William and Anna (Ducic) Ely. She earned her Master’s Degree in Communication from Purdue University and dedicated much of her life to teaching and helping others. Throughout her career, she shared her knowledge and passion for education with students at Ball State University, Purdue University, and in Richmond and Connersville. Teresa also devoted 19 years of service to JRDS in Portland.

Teresa enjoyed cooking and spending quality time with her family. She also had a special love for West Virginia, a place that held a special place in her heart.

Survivors include:

Her two children: Thomas Bowen of Portland, Indiana, and Laura Bowen of Colorado Springs, Colorado.

Her two siblings: Karen Carter (husband Roy) of Tucson, Arizona, and Carl Ely (wife Debbie) of Wichita, Kansas.

Services to celebrate Teresa’s life will be held at a later date.