Theresa Marie McDonough Cochran

Theresa Marie McDonough Cochran, 64, of South Glens Falls, New York, left this earth peacefully to be with her Lord on July 21, 2026. She passed away at home, surrounded by family who loved her dearly. She bravely fought cancer for over four years and inspired everyone she encountered, sharing her joy, excitement for life, and love of the Lord.

She was born in Brooklyn, New York, into a party hosted by the late Stephen and Velma McDonough, and was instantly loved by four older siblings who adored her. She grew up in Massapequa Park, New York. She loved music, loved to dance, and survived the 1960s and 1970s with fashion and flair. She hit her stride on the dance floors of the discos in Massapequa in the1980’s and was the original dancing queen.

She graduated from Massapequa High School in 1980, then received her Bachelor of Science in Speech Therapy at Oneonta in 1984. It was there that she began her lifelong love affair with Jesus Christ, her Lord and Savior, and she never ceased to share His love with others. She eventually moved to Massena, New York, and through mutual friends met the love of her life, Todd Cochran. Their beautiful marriage lasted 34 years.

Her greatest accomplishments were giving birth to two amazing sons, her pride and joy, Drew and Tyler. Theresa was known for her enthusiasm for her family, for always being excited to meet new people, and for sharing her love of the Lord through her stories of healing and miracles. Growing up in a musical family, she sang with others any chance she could. Gatherings with her extended family were a highlight for her, and she showed off her rockstar qualities at every gig.

She had many superpowers, and one of them was sewing. She designed and created many gifts of miniature mohair bears for family, friends, teachers, and other lucky recipients in her community. She volunteered for years at her sons’ school to support the marathon fundraisers, band, and high school musical productions, even after her sons graduated.

If you ever met Theresa, you experienced her love almost immediately. She made a new friend every chance she could. She would befriend a grocery clerk, a church member, or a neighbor, and she would be your friend for life. She had that rare quality of making people feel loved, and when you were with her, you never doubted it. Her joy, her light, and her love of life, family, and the Lord radiated throughout her whole life.

One blessing Theresa shared with her neighborhood was her role as the luminary goddess at Christmas time. She would plan for months. Every Christmas for over 18 years, she provided candles and bags so her neighbors could line the streets on Christmas Eve with glowing luminaries in celebration of the Lord’s birthday. What a blessing it was to all who passed through their neighborhood, as she shared her love for Christ by helping others light the way on that most magical night of the year.

Theresa leaves behind a legacy of love for her family and joy for everyone around her, even while living with chronic pain for decades. She battled cancer for over four years, and even through chemo, she continued to encourage others and help those around her keep their faith. Her battlefield was her body, and she fought in her own way, in her own timeframe, while still pouring strength into others.

Theresa was forever loving, ever giving, always believing in the good of people, and always thanking others through notes and gifts. Her generosity in helping and housing others was endless. Truly a unique soul and forever the life of the party, Theresa carried the light and love of Jesus into a complex modern world that so desperately needed it. The impact she had on her family, friends, church, neighborhood, and community cannot be overstated.

She was predeceased by her parents, Stephen and Velma McDonough, and her sister, Mary Jo Gagliardo. She is survived by her loving husband, Todd Cochran; her sons, Drew and Tyler; her in-laws, Joel and Carol Cochran; her siblings, Margie Parillo (Joe), Stephen McDonough (Kathy), Richard McDonough (Robin), and Norah Rowland (David); and a multitude of beloved nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, in-laws, extended family members, and dear friends.

The Cochran family will be forever grateful to David Collins and the D.A. Collins family for the ongoing support throughout the years of Theresa’s illness. We will hold a special place in our hearts for the entire hospice staff who supported Theresa and kept her comfortable until the very end, until she danced into the arms of Jesus.

A service will be held on Saturday, July 25, at 1 p.m. at New Beginnings Community Church, with visitation from 1–2:30 p.m., the service from 2:30–4:00 p.m., and a gathering in the church hall immediately following.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.