Teresa Lois “Terry” Leong (née Hoffman), 76, passed away Friday, October 31, 2025. Terry was born on January 16, 1949 in Saint Louis, the eldest child of James and Dorothy Hoffman. During her time in the nursing program at Forest Park College, Terry met Don Leong, a biology lab assistant who became her college sweetheart and love of her life. They married on December 30, 1972.
Dear mother to Matthew (Emily), Adam (Ellen Goff), Johanna (Brian) Ringkamp, and Joel (Nick) Spector and grandmother to Jackson and Margot. Beloved sister of Jim (Kathy) Hoffman and sister-in-law to Mabel (the late Mike) DeLuca, Rich (Nancy) Leong, Shirley (Charlie) Phillips, and the late Warren Leong. Terry was a loving mother-in-law, aunt, great-aunt, and friend to many.
A dedicated registered nurse, Terry spent almost 40 years providing critical care nursing in the ICU at St. Joseph’s Hospital of Kirkwood. A fierce advocate of medical advancement and life saving science, Terry was an ardent supporter of the Mid America Transplant Service and St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
As a teenager, Terry was invited down to St. Raymond’s Maronite Catholic Church to help a friend who was trying to set up the choir. Terry fell in love with the church and became a lifelong parishioner. She spent 30+ years as the Choir Director, retiring as Director Emeritus in 2009. An avid reader and movie aficionado, Terry enjoyed catching the latest shows with Don, or a quiet evening curled up with a new book. Above all else, Terry enjoyed spending time with her friends and family; they were the greatest joy of her life!
Services: Visitation at Kutis South County Chapel 5255 Lemay Ferry Road Monday, November 3, 2025, 4-8pm. Then to St. Raymond’s Maronite Catholic Church 931 Lebanan Drive St. Louis, MO 63104 Tuesday, November 4, visitation 9am until funeral Mass 10am. Interment Resurrection Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, donations are requested to St. Raymond’s Maronite Cathedral, or to Mid-America Transplant Services.