Obituary

Teddi Lynn Covey von Pingel passed away at 9:00 PM on Friday, January 10th, 2025 in Mesa, Arizona at the age of 58, after various strokes and a complication with a MRSA infection.

Teddi was a most kind, highly intelligent, considerate, thoughtful, lovely, loving, sensitive person. She was happiest as a mother and wife. She cherished her immediate family and loved her extended family. Teddi wanted to be a mom over anything else and eventually she and Eric were blessed with two girls and a boy.

Teddi is survived by her loving and devoted husband, Eric von Pingel; her children, Olivia, D’Artagnan (Mackenzie), and Sophia; her siblings, Sean, Cami, Aaron, Damon, Josh, and Brendan; her mother, Priscilla Covey; as well as her aunts, uncles, and many nieces and nephews.

Teddi was born January 5th 1967 in Globe, Arizona to Priscilla and Clay Covey. She grew up in Globe, went to school, and finished her schooling at Dobson High School in Mesa, Arizona in 1984. She went on to pursue a short period of design school in Los Angeles, and a small amount of schooling at BYU, before serving an ASL (American Sign Language) assigned LDS Mission in the Georgia/Tennessee area, which helped shape many aspects of her life and career.

Teddi first met Eric on May 29th, 1997 on the internet at ldssingles.com. Although she was in Arizona and Eric was in California, it did not take long before they wanted to meet in person. On June 19th, 1997 Teddi flew out to meet Eric in CA and it was magical from day one. Eric asked Teddi to marry him on the drawbridge at Sleeping Beauty’s Castle, Disneyland on August 2nd, 1997. Eric was later able to secure a job in Arizona in November, and moved out to Arizona for the two to be married on December 20th, 1997. Eric and Teddi began their marriage in Arizona for 8 ½ years, then moving to Utah for 17 years, and back to Mesa, AZ in 2023. They spent 27 wonderful years together and wished for so much more

Teddi revisited her schooling after all of her kids were in school full time. Teddi then graduated with her Bachelor’s Degree in 2014 studying Deaf Studies/Interpreting from Utah Valley University, her Master’s Degree in 2016 studying Interpreting Pedagogy from University of North Florida, and her Doctorate in 2019 studying Education, Innovation and Leadership from Arizona State University.

Teddi worked for the Chandler School District, Sorenson Communications, many different Interpreting agencies, UNF and UVU as an adjunct professor, UTRID as President from 2021-2023, and Family Fusion/Fusion You as COO. Leading up to the life-changing strokes in 2024, she worked on an ASL app, entitled ASL Flurry, with a good friend. She had passion for every job and gave each one 100% effort. She truly enjoyed interpreting, although at times it was physically challenging, and she especially had a lot of passion for her last position, looking forward to its future. Teddi impacted so many lives throughout her career.

Teddi also had immense passion for other parts of everyday life. She loved all forms of crafts such as scrapbooking, sewing, decorating, drawing/painting, pottery, and more. She loved collecting earrings of all colors, shapes and sizes. She loved to read, especially for her own growth and education. She loved being a mom, which was a lifetime dream. She loved Disneyland and anything Disney. She absolutely loved Christmas. Teddi had become a dog mom and truly loved her doggies, Tinkerbell, Ginger, Poppy, and her Grand-Dog Sam. She had a real desire and passion to learn, from Water Zumba to learning the Cherokee Language to respect her heritage. She loved and had future plans to travel. She was able to go to Austria with a work/school group, to Denmark with her family, to Africa with “Mother’s Beyond Borders”, and to Europe with her husband on a Christmas market trip in 2023 down the Danube River.

Teddi impacted many in her everyday life, whether it be family, friends, or other daily interactions. She became great friends with really everyone she had the chance to have a conversation with. She mentored many interpreters, and taught many others with much love, and they loved her back. She supported so many precious friends in both their good and challenging times. Her love was vast and so tangible. She will be missed by countless individuals.