Teresa M. Brightman

Teresa M. Brightman, nee Phillips, 74, Michigan native, born Monday, December 3, 1951, in Mackinaw City, MI, passed away Saturday, August 1, 2026 at Memorial Hospital in Belleville, IL.

Teresa served as an Aerographer's Mate in the U.S. Navy providing weather forecasts and environmental intelligence for both aviation and maritime operations. After her time in the military, she worked in a variety of fields, including as a Medical Assistant, and later as a Weather Observer for multiple civilian airports.

Teresa was a member of many organizations including Membership with Primrose Chapter #183 O.E.S. of Indian River, MI, Otsego County Michigan Democrat Committee, and WAVES National (now MWAN) Navy Organization. She also assisted her township with voting days to ensure they went smoothly. In her spare time, she loved listening to audio books from her local library, watching British mystery series on TV with her husband, taking her rescued cats for walks around their groomed paths, and spending time with her children and grandchildren.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Brightman; parents George and Millie (Wallace) Phillips; and brother Wally Spencley.

Surviving ar eher daughters, Aurora (Jason) McKenzie of Belleville, IL, and Athena (Steve) Sherbert of Gaylord; grandchildren, Andrew (Tanu) Gildner, Ryan McKenzie, Natasha Sherbert, Aiden Sherbert; great-grandson, Noah Gildner; Brother, John Phillips; sisters, Dort Krueger, Bette (Joe) Cain, Jennie Martinez, Millicent (John) Leslie, Connie (Terry) Luneke, and many nieces and nephews.

Memorials: Memorials may be made to the Otsego County Animal Shelter in Gaylord, Michigan.

Visitation & Services: SEPTEMBER 6th, 2026: Visitation begins at 2 p.m. at Hayes Township Hall in Gaylord, MI. The Memorial Service & Military Honor Guard Ceremony will begin at 3:15 p.m. Immediately following will be the laying of ashes alongside her late husband's ashes at Hayes Township Cemetery.