Teresa Francis Dennehy Lair, age 61 of Centerview, Missouri, passed away after a long and courageous battle with ovarian cancer on January 16, 2025, in Kansas City, Missouri.

She was born on Sunday, December 29, 1963, in Boston, MA to Gertrude (Granville) and Daniel Dennehy. She was the youngest of 12 children. She attended Boston Latin and later attended UMass Amherst.

Teresa and Steve were united in marriage on a gorgeous, fall weekend in October 2013 on Cape Cod, MA, surrounded by family and friends.

After a long and successful career in finance and operations, Teresa dedicated herself to giving back to her community. Her commitment to service and her deep desire to help others led her to volunteer for several local organizations, including the Food Center, Veteran's Home, and Senior Center. Her legacy of generosity, kindness, and unwavering support will be remembered by all who had the privileged of working alongside her. Teresa's warmth, wisdom, and ability to inspire others left an everlasting impact on everyone she encountered.

Teresa is survived by her beloved husband, Steve Lair, of Centerview, MO; one daughter, Jacqueline Nowalk of Kansas City, MO; four brothers, Thomas (Susan) Dennehy of Denver, CO, William (Marie) Dennehy of The Villages, FL, Paul Dennehy of Cape Cod, MA and Richard (Sharon) Dennehy of Austin, TX. Five sisters; Virginia (Kevin) Murphy of Boston, MA, Kathleen (Jack) Sheridan of Boston, MA, Mary (Wayne) LaRoche of Boston, MA, Barbara (Bill) Ball of Cape Cod, MA and Beth (David) Nadeau of Cape Cod, MA, many nieces and nephews, and her loving and high-spirited dog, Hanna.

She was preceded in death by her parents, one brother, Daniel Dennehy, and one sister Joanne Hadayia.

A visitation will take place on Saturday, January 25, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m. at Sweeney-Phillips & Holdren Funeral Home in Warrensburg, MO. A funeral service will follow the visitation at the funeral home with pastor Lawrence Adams officiating, with the burial at Sunset Hill Cemetery in Warrensburg, MO.

A celebration of life will take place on Saturday, March 29, 2025, from 12:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. at Boylston Schul-Verein. The address is 8 County St. (Rt. 109) in Walpole, MA.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial contributions be made to West Central Missouri Veteran's League, Johnson County Missouri Food Center or Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance.