My dear friend, my best friend, my inspiration, Theresa Lynn Praskach, my Teri, died a bit after 4 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 26 at Montefiore Medical Center in Bronx, N.Y., where she had been brought after four days at White Plains Hospital. Teri was an artist, a master gardener, a farmer, a chef, and the kindest and funniest person I ever met. Teri took care of me through my three cancer surgeries, took care of my mother, Nonna, when I was too sick to help Nonna, took care of Silvio and Lil’Bit, my two dogs, and Teddy Paul Bruschi Kennedy Gardella, my cat.

Teri was a friend to all of all ages, she was a special buddy of all children. I met Teri, I got cancer, and I never laughed so much in my life. There are four St. Theresas in heaven now and I know which is my personal favorite. God bless and protect her family and friends. Let them smile at the memories of Teri and laugh at the thought of her antics. Teri is doing everything she can for everyone where she is now and leading dogs and children on adventures in a forest and on to a beach.

If you want to make a donation in remembrance of Teri, I know her two favorite charities were The Farm Institute, 14 Aero Avenue P.O. Box 1868, Edgartown, Mass. 02539, and the Animal Shelter of Martha’s Vineyard, P. O. Box 1829, Edgartown, Mass. 02539. The best remembrance would be to plant a patch of her favorite flower, tulips, any color, and refer to that garden as Teri’s Tulips. Thank you for understanding why my column has been missing for three weeks. I am bereft.

Teri and I love children and their books. One of our favorites is If You Give A Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff. The Mouse himself will be making guest appearances at our Island libraries through the month of March. Our Vineyard Haven Library day for His Eminence, Mousie, is on Tuesday, March 15. Infants to three year olds may meet him and pose for a picture and hear his story from 10 to 11 a.m. Children age three and older have their face time at 11 a.m.

Another friend of ours is Neil Welch, affectionately known as Apple. Neil is back in Massachusetts General needing more surgery after his car accident last fall. You may write to Neil at MGH, Ellison Building, Room 614, 8th floor, 55 Fruit Street, Boston, MA, 02114. I know our entire community misses him.

Our First Baptist Church on William street offers its annual corned beef and cabbage dinner Saturday, March 12 at 6 p.m. The meal comes with a beverage, Irish soda bread or corn bread, carrots, dessert and lively Irish music. Bring your fiddle and fife and join in. Take-out is available. The dinner is a mere $12 per person. Reserve your spot at 508-693-1539. I have enjoyed this meal for many years and know you will also.

As usual our Vineyard Playhouse is a hotbed of off-season activity. Join them at the special floor show on Saturday, March 12, a jazz cabaret featuring Anna Yukevich and Jeremy Berlin. This 7:30 p.m. fundraiser is a benefit to get the stage of the Patricia Neal Theater redone. While you are there check out the art space with an exhibit of Linda Thompson’s work for sale through April 3. And don’t miss Island poet laureate Arnie Reisman hosting next Tuesday’s Poetry Cafe there featuring himself and several Island poets. $10 cash at the door gets you in to hear their latest works and enjoy a piece of pie and a beverage.

The birthday bandwagon pulls along many deserving celebrants this week. Unfortunately for me, Teri kept my birthday book at my fingertips and now I can’t find it without her. May the sun shine on all who have made it through another year. A belated shout out to my good friend, Holly Petre, who became 22 on International Women’s Day, March 8. Special love and green shamrocks to Manlio Jannace who celebrates on Saint Patrick’s Day. Get out your green for next Thursday. Many happy returns.