Teresita “Tess” Vegas Reneaud, age 50, passed away peacefully on August 26, 2026, following a courageous and graceful battle with an aggressive form of cancer. Throughout her journey, her unwavering faith and profound love remained her guiding lights. Tess was a beautiful soul inside and out; though her outward beauty was striking, it was her inner warmth, kindness, and sweet nature that outshined it tenfold.
Tess was born on October 6, 1975, in Bacacay, Albay, Philippines, to the late Pedro and Juana Verdeflor. She was the devoted and loving wife of Richard, with whom she shared 15 beautiful years of marriage. Their love story was anchored by a sacred vow to always remain “Side by Side” from the very beginning until the end.
The absolute center of Tess’s universe was her family. She was the proud and fiercely loving mother of her three boys: Jhonne, Richard III, and Denver. She raised them with a fun-loving spirit, prioritizing their faith and education above all else, and dedicated her life to shaping them into smart, intelligent, and giving young men.
In the Philippines, Tess followed her passion for helping children by working as a first-grade teacher. After moving to the United States, where she proudly called Big Fish Lake her home for over 15 years, her love for nature led her to work at Wojo’s Greenhouse for a few years. She possessed a unique ability to leave a lasting impression of sweetness on everyone she met.
Tess took immense pride in her Filipino heritage, frequently bringing her culture to the forefront through her incredible cooking. Her family and friends will fondly remember the gatherings filled with her delicious pancit, flan, and cassava. She also maintained a deep connection to her family back in the Philippines, frequently sending care packages filled with gifts and love.
At home, Tess created her own “Garden of Eden,” spending peaceful hours planting and tending to her flowers and bushes. She cherished the simple moments of life, like enjoying morning coffee with her husband, staying active with her boys, and embarking on summer family road trips to national parks. No matter the destination, simply being with her family was her greatest joy.
Tess’s legacy is defined by her faith, strength, and selflessness. While her family deeply grieves her absence, they find comfort in knowing that her earthly battle has ended, she has been made whole, and she now rests peacefully in the presence of her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
She is survived by her loving husband, Richard; her three cherished sons, Jhonne, Richard III, and Denver; and her siblings, Efren, Helena, Flor, Saldy, Absalon, and Jhonny. She was preceded in death by her parents and her beloved sister, Nely.
A Memorial Mass celebrating Tess’s life will be held on Tuesday, September 22, 2026 at 1:00 p.m. at St. John Catholic Church 404 N. Dayton Street, Davison, Michigan. Family will receive friends from12:00 noon till time of service.
In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made in Teresita’s name to the American Cancer Society, specifically directing support to Ovarian Cancer research. Contributions can be made online at donate.cancer.org.
Kindly keep Teresita and her family in your thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. To leave an online condolence or share a memory, please visit villagefh.com.