The funeral for Theresa A. Aning will be at 10:30AM Saturday, March 9, 2013 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in Rochester, MN, with Rev. Donald J. Schmitz officiating. Burial will be at Calvary Cemetery in Rochester. Visitation will be at 5:00PM to 8:00PM on Friday, March 8th, 2013 in the River Park Chapel at Macken Funeral Home and one hour prior to services at the church on Saturday, March 9th.

Mrs. Aning, 59, of Rochester, Minn., died Thursday, February 21st, 2013, at her residence.

Theresa was born in Koforidua, Ghana and moved to the U.S. with her husband Francis in 1974. They lived in Washington, D.C. and Maryland, before moving to Binghamton, New York where they gave birth to their daughter Amma and son Yaw. They moved to Rochester in 1990. Theresa was an avid gardener and sewer. She also spent her time making soap, jewelry, and staying healthy by walking and jogging. She made it a habit of meeting new people, making friends and volunteering extensively throughout the community.

Theresa worked for the Mayo Clinic as a Systems Administrator for 11 years. Prior to that she worked at IBM in Rochester for 7 years.

In 1995, Theresa was diagnosed with breast cancer. After winning this first battle with cancer, she remained in remission until 2004, when she was diagnosed with a very rare disease associated with having cancer known as Paraneoplastic Cerebellum Degeneration. Over the next several years, she battled the disease.

She is survived by husband Francis Aning of Rochester, Minn., daughter Amma Aning Odum (30) of Cleveland, Ohio, son Yaw Aning (27) of Indianapolis, Ind., and son Joseph Aning (39) of Burnsville, Minn.

Theresa was a loving wife, mother, aunt, sister and friend. Her laughter and kindness will be deeply missed.

Online condolences are welcome at www.mackenfuneralhome.com