Obituary of Teri Lynn Lang

May 17, 1967 - Brockville, Ontario

September 12, 2024 - Calgary, Alberta

Sadly, after 57 years of highs and lows, the family of Teri Lynn Lang announces her passing on to a better life on Thursday, September 12, 2024.

Teri was born in Brockville, ON, on May 17, 1967, to the late Dale Gerard Gibson and Jacqueline Iris Greenhorn (nee Scott).

Teri led a remarkable life, having undergone a twelve-hour operation at one day old. She endured all the usual diseases of childhood while living with cystic fibrosis, which led to a double lung transplant, lymphoma, diabetes, and both kidney and lung failure until she simply wore out.

She went through life with a smile and positively touched dozens of lives as she went. At various times, Teri fulfilled all the roles of the Stampede City Kinettes, helping to raise thousands of dollars for research into cystic fibrosis, the disease which ultimately caught up to her.

Teri worked at the Southern Alberta Chapter of Cystic Fibrosis Canada as an office manager for several years and was one of the organizers for the annual “Walk to Make Cystic Fibrosis History”, and the many golf tournaments which raised money for cystic fibrosis.

She was an active member of the 783 Wing Royal Canadian Air Force Association. During her long Kinettes career, Teri was awarded many honours, including the Hal Rogers Member Achievement Award, a Kinette Life Membership, and the prestigious Cystic Fibrosis Canada Summerhayes Award—an award which is given only when a deserving candidate has been discovered.

The family wishes to express their deep gratitude to the doctors and nurses of the Organ Transplant Team at the University of Alberta Hospital, who performed her transplant on Christmas Day in 2001. They also extend their thanks to the doctors, nurses, and coordinators of the Lung Transplant Clinic of the Peter Lougheed Centre, as well as the doctors and nurses of the Cystic Fibrosis Clinic of the Foothills Medical Centre. Their superb care, support, and friendship over nearly 38 years meant the world to her. Additionally, they appreciate the staff of Unit 61 at the Foothills Medical Center, who made her final days as comfortable as possible.

A special thank you goes to Dr. Mike Parkins of the Foothill Medical Centre for his unwavering efforts, advice, and encouragement over the past several years, and to Dr. Harvey Rabin (retired), who was instrumental in establishing the Foothills Cystic Fibrosis Clinic and remained a friend of Teri’s over the decades. Miss Karen Spielman, also a double lung recipient, deserves recognition for having been Teri’s best friend and phone buddy for longer than they cared to admit.

Finally, we can’t forget Eddie, a rescue Jack Russell who was Teri’s constant companion for the last twelve years, who had the opportunity to say goodbye in the hospital on September 11.

She is survived by her mother Jacqueline Greenhorn, her stepfather Bob Greenhorn, her stepmother Linda Gibson, and several half-siblings, Alison Farmer (Brian), Mary Gibson, Andy Gibson, Chris Greenhorn (Cynthia), and Scott Greenhorn. She is also survived by her former husband, Bob Lang, with whom she remained close, two nieces, Sylvana Farmer and Whitney Greenhorn, as well as several cousins and lifelong friends.

A Celebration of Teri’s Life will be held in the McKnight Ballroom of the Sheraton Cavalier Calgary Hotel (2620 32 Avenue NE, Calgary, AB) on Thursday, October 17, 2024, from 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm. Her interment will be held in Mallorytown, ON, at a future date.

If friends so desire, memorial tributes may be made directly to Cystic Fibrosis Canada, 1305-20 Eglinton Ave. West, Toronto, ON, M4R 1K8, Telephone: 1-800-378-2233, Website: www.cysticfibrosis.ca. 

Condolences, memories, and photos may be shared and viewed with Teri’s family here.

In living memory of Teri Lang, a tree will be planted in the Ann & Sandy Cross Conservation Area by McInnis & Holloway Funeral Homes, Fish Creek, 14441 Bannister Road SE, Calgary, Ab t2x 3j3, Telephone: 403-256-9575.