Teddy Snow Kearny was born on January 15, 1949, in Fort Bliss, El Paso, Texas, into a proud U.S. Army family. Her early life was shaped by the unique experiences of a military upbringing, living across the United States and in overseas locations such as Germany and Okinawa, Japan. These diverse cultural encounters sparked a lifelong love of learning, travel, and adventure that would define her journey.

When her father, an Army Colonel, was assigned to White Sands Missile Range in New Mexico, Teddy attended junior high school on the base. From that point on, she considered New Mexico her permanent home. In 1963, the Snow family settled in Nogal, New Mexico, where they were surrounded by the LaMay family—Teddy’s relatives and among the original homesteaders of the Nogal Mesa.

After graduating from Carrizozo High School in 1967, Teddy began her college studies at Oklahoma State University. A year later, she returned to New Mexico and enrolled in the College of Education at New Mexico State University (NMSU) in Las Cruces. Her student teaching experience at Gadsden High School in Anthony, NM, confirmed her passion for education and her commitment to shaping young lives.

It was at NMSU that Teddy met the love of her life, Patrick Kearny. The two were married on December 18, 1971, in the serene surroundings of Nogal. In May 1972, Teddy earned her Bachelor of Science in Education from NMSU, officially beginning her journey as an educator.

In 1973, Teddy re-entered military life when Patrick was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Air Force. His early assignments brought them to Texas, Florida, and California, where he completed flight school. In 1975, Teddy took on a unique role as a contract language arts instructor for the Department of Defense at Nakhon Ratchasima Royal Thai Air Base in Thailand. There, she taught enlisted personnel working toward their GEDs or college preparation, a shining example of her dedication to student growth in any setting.

Later that year, the couple moved to Tucson, Arizona, where Teddy taught at Pueblo High School while also earning her Master’s Degree in Education from the University of Arizona. During this time, she embraced the new and cherished role of motherhood with the arrival of their son, Kelly.

The Kearny family later was assigned to Albuquerque, where Teddy taught at Manzano High School before finally settling in Las Cruces in 1984. There, she became a proud Las Cruces High School Bulldawg, where she would serve for the remainder of her career.

For more than 25 years, “Mizz Kearny,” as her students affectionately called her, embodied the spirit of teaching. She was a gifted educator and curriculum developer whose lesson plans were adopted across the state. Though she was offered multiple opportunities to enter school administration, Teddy’s heart was always in the classroom where she elected to remain. Her devotion to her students and her impact on thousands of young lives is a legacy few can match. However, Teddy’s instruction was not limited to the classroom. Because of her love of lake life, she was instrumental in introducing innumerable youngsters to the sport of water skiing.

After retiring in 2010, Teddy continued to mentor and inspire those around her. Her vibrant spirit and ever-present smile lit up every room she entered. Whether relaxing on the beaches of San Carlos, Mexico, camping in the San Juan Mountains of Colorado, or enjoying quiet days at her beloved home in Elephant Butte, New Mexico, Teddy lived each day with joy and gratitude.

Above all, Teddy was devoted to the people and creatures she loved most—her wide circle of friends, her family, her loyal chain of five Cairn Terrier pups; her beloved husband and soulmate of 54 years, Patrick Kearny; her son, Kelly Kearny; and grandchild, Larinda Kearny. She was preceded in death by her parents, James A. Snow and Elsie Wooten; grandparents, Austin and Faye Wooten; and brothers: Richard, Austin and Arthur Snow.

Teddy passed away on Saturday, July 12, 2025, in her beautiful, forever dream home in Elephant Butte.

Teddy, your journey does not end here. You have simply earned your Ph.D. in life—with honors. Your legacy, love, and light will continue to guide and inspire all who know and love you.

In lieu of flowers please consider sending a donation to the educational fund of your local school in Teddy's memory.