Theresa Ramcharan loved her husband, her son, her dogs, and Elvis. And anyone who truly knew her could say that Theresa was nothing short of adventurous.

The longtime Ottawa, Kans., resident died unexpectedly in the early evening of Sept. 1, 2023, at AdventHealth Hospital, having just celebrated her 73rd birthday on Aug. 28.

She often could be seen walking by herself or with her German shepherd through Ottawa since moving there in 2003, with her husband Kris Ramcharan and their son Ari. She volunteered in Ottawa Schools and recently had signed on to work with "the little kids" this fall, who she particularly loved.

She is survived by her husband of more than 35 years Kris Ramcharan, their son Ari, grandson Andrew, and granddaughters Charlee, and Jemma. Her family includes Laura Stocker, Larry Stocker, Tim Stocker, Kathy Stocker, and Maureen Rummel. Her parents Lawrence and Claudell Stocker and her youngest brother Chris Stocker preceded her in death. She was a member of Temple Beth Sharon in Topeka

She was born Theresa Ann Stocker on Aug. 28, 1950, in Fort Worth, Texas, and the family moved to Topeka, Kans., in March 1958. She attended Holy Name and Clay elementary schools, Jardine Junior High and Topeka West High school.

Theresa led an adventurous life. Having grown of age during the Flower Child era and lived in California a short time in the late 1960s. She attended Washburn University and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. Ms. Ramcharan worked with a local surgeon, before accepting a position with a family practice.

Old friends and family remembered Theresa.

"My overall impression is that Theresa was feisty, fierce, hilarious and pretty irreverent in general, but loyal to the nth degree," said a friend Nan Renbarger, a friend since the late 1960s. "She impressed me with her zany insights and reckless abandon . . . a rebellious role model bordering on being the funniest smartass in a room full of smartasses. I loved to sit with her when the Burlington Express played. She was never shy about commenting, critiquing, bashing someone's outfit, makeup or behavior; and that is something that had me rolling on the floor laughing. I also respected that about her."

A friend since high school, Diana Hope said their favorite song was "Here Comes the Sun."

"Theresa was a very good friend. (We) sometimes quarreled, but usually got back together because (we) had such a strong friendship," Diana said, remembering her friend. "When my daughter was only six months old, (Theresa) gave Zoie a teddy bear. Zoie still has that bear, very loved. She still has it on her bed, and is now 39 years old. Memory of Theresa will always be with us."

After meeting and marrying Kris Ramcharan in Topeka, Kans., they moved to Israel for a time. She and their son learned Hebrew and her family took vacations to explore Israel and a cruise to see the Greek Islands.

Theresa was active in politics, particularly for Jimmy Carter in his 1976 campaign for president. She also was active in community issues and was a frequent letter-writer to those in power when she saw wrongs happening. She was a music lover, an avid reader and enjoyed reading history, biographies and science fiction books, and loved movies. Theresa crocheted and made many spreads for family and friends.

"She was a hero. When bigger kids in the neighborhood picked on me, she put them in their place. She was always my protector," recalled Larry Stocker, her younger brother. "She was a participant. She was a huge music fan through a variety of genres, but never stuck in one place. And she always loved Paul (McCartney) the best.

"She was a connector. I met so many creative, interesting people from her. And she was never embarrassed to introduce me as her little brother; she told them that I was cool. We took long road trips together to Colorado . . . New York state to see Don McLean.

Larry said his sister was a seeker and an engaged conversationalist and was musical; she studied violin in school and taught herself to play guitar and piano.

"She was so knowledgeable and read so many books at such a young age to learn as much as anyone I've ever known. And she was humorous," he said. "She seemed to always be looking for the meaning of it all through her faith with her inquiring nature. She found the peace within her family— Kris and Ari. They gave her the same love in return. As a mother, I know she eventually found the serenity she was looking for. I hope and I believe that she was content as she calmly departed our world."

Her older sister Laura Stocker has a lifetime of memories of her sister. "We were only 13 months apart and naturally competed throughout our childhood and teen-age years," she said. "We skipped school together and double-dated with our musician boyfriends. We eventually grew up and learned to love each other as equals, regardless of our differences. We talked, texted and e-mailed several times a week to express what was going on in our lives and how to make eachother's lives better and just to laugh. We spoke on her birthday and talked about Theresa and Kris visiting us, going to the beach. Then I got the call that she'd died. It's hard to wrap my head around the fact that we'll never see each other again."

No public funeral service is planned and the family requests that no flowers be sent.