Theresa Marie Bareither

Theresa (Terri) Marie Bareither, 77, of Indianapolis, Indiana, passed away surrounded by the love of her family on March 15, 2026. Terri was born on August 22, 1948, to Frederick and Clara Duennes.

Terri Bareither was a highly respected Speech-Language Pathologist/Audiologist, Author, and accomplished musician. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in Audiology and Speech Sciences from Purdue University and a Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology from Southern Illinois University. She held the American Speech and Hearing Association's Certificate of Clinical Competence and had been a Speech-Language Pathologist for over 55 years, working in public and private schools and universities, hospitals, clinics, homes, and corporate settings. She was the manager of St. Francis Hospital and Health Center's Speech Pathology and Audiology Department (Indianapolis) from 1979 to 1995. She was the Past-President of the Greater Indianapolis Speech and Hearing Association. She published several articles on Speech and Language Development and has been a guest on local radio and television programs. She authored Tongue Twisters, Rhymes, and Songs to Improve Your English Pronunciation (2007), a culmination of twelve-years' teaching experience in spoken and written English enhancement and pronunciation skills with 725 foreign-born professionals from more than forty language backgrounds. Following her sister-in-law's unexpected brain surgery, she generously provided speech rehabilitation for the patient's aphasia twice a week for nearly a year via Skype. Terri enjoyed music. She pursued voice lessons to improve her vocal range and tonal quality and sang in several Sweet Adeline competitions. Later in life, she studied the harp, taking lessons and mastering an extensive repertoire of compositions, including one of her favorites: The Nightingale. She would share her love of music through weekly volunteer harp performances at a local nursing home.

Terri had many other interests and hobbies. She frequently spent hours with knitting needles in her skilled hands because she loved to knit various articles of clothing for friends and relatives. Terri’s compassionate nature and love of knitting led to the establishment of the Saint Lawrence Stitch Angels, a group of women dedicated to crafting handmade blankets for Holy Family Shelter. The legacy of Terri will live on through Terri’s Stitch Angels, who will maintain their commitment to fellowship, prayer, and joy, while providing warm blankets to those in need, in memory of their dear friend, Terri.

She was gifted with a "green thumb" and would successfully cultivate hybrid tea roses at her residence for many years. She and her husband would volunteer many hours at Fort Harrison State Park, making the park an enjoyable experience for visitors. They enjoyed international travel together as well as local theater performances. She was a talented and giving individual, sharing the skills and gifts which God had entrusted to her with others unconditionally. Terri daily touched the lives of her family, friends, and community with care and concern and will be sorely missed.

Terri is preceded in death by her parents Frederick Duennes, Clara Harrington Duennes; and her sister Claire Knight. She is survived by her devoted husband Terry Bareither; her beloved sons Max Bareither, Bart Bareither; siblings Joseph Duennes, Phyllis Collins, Janet Glendening, Suann Southwick, Annette Beesting; granddaughters Melanie Moriarty and Alexandra Deryn; as well as a host of close friends.

A memorial mass is scheduled Saturday, March 28, 2026, at St. Lawrence Catholic Church, 4650 Shadeland Ave, Indianapolis, IN 46226. There will be a short eulogy beginning at 11:50am followed by mass at 12:00pm. Burial at Our Lady of Peace is scheduled at 2:00pm. A mercy meal back at St. Lawrence Catholic Church is planned from 2:30-3:00pm.

In lieu of flowers: please donate to the following three groups:
1. St. Vincent de Paul Food Pantry
2. Holy Family Homeless Shelter
3. Augustin Center-Little Sisters of the Poor

To view a recording of the service please click here