Therese Marie Bluhm, 78, of Bedford, died on September 25, 2012.

She was born on April 5, 1934, to the late George and Grace (Fogarty) Bluhm of Detroit.

Therese attended parochial schools in Detroit, graduated from Marygrove College, earned a master's degree from the University of Detroit, and remained a lifelong Tigers fan.

After teaching in Detroit city schools for five years, she joined Silver Burdett Ginn, where she worked for 33 years in positions ranging from reading consultant to editorial program manager.


In retirement, Therese, an avid gardener, joined the Bedford Garden Club, where she served as a board member, program chair, fund-raising chair, and president. She started the Bedford Botanical Brigade, a long-running successful fundraiser for the club.

For most of Therese's life, she shared her home with at least one English Springer Spaniel. She sympathized with Will Rogers's view of the afterlife: "If there are no dogs in heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."


Therese is survived by her brothers and sisters-in-law, James (Gail) Bluhm and Dennis Mary) Bluhm; nieces Karen Bluhm and Frank Ferrioli), and Kathleen (Paul) Bartz; nephews Kevin (Barbara) Bluhm and Keith (Paula) Bluhm, all of Michigan. Also surviving are four great nieces and three great nephews. Therese's beloved partner, Elizabeth Houston, preceded her in death.

Visiting hours will be in the Bedford Funeral Home from 6:30-8:30 p.m., on Friday, September 28, and one hour before the service celebrating Therese's life on Saturday, September 29, at 10:30 a.m.

Following the service, relatives and friends are cordially invited to a reception at Therese's home.


A private burial will be held in the Shawsheen Cemetery, Bedford.


Flowers are welcome, and expressions of sympathy may also be sent to Marygrove College, 8425 West McNicols Road, Detroit, MI, 48221.