Torri Rogenski, left, shares a smile with Christine Terlesky of Boardman, who was diagnosed in 2013 with ALS, or Lou Gehrig’s disease. Rogenski was one of Christine’s six caregivers. Terlesky died Saturday at the age of 48. Correspondent file photo, 2019 / Sean Barron

BOARDMAN — Christine Moschella Terlesky, 48, whose brave story has been followed by Mahoning Valley readers and viewers for seven years, lost her battle against amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, or Lou Gehrig’s disease.

She taught government courses for 19 years at Boardman High School, but was diagnosed in September 2013 with ALS, a rare but progressive and irreversible disease.

She is remembered by friends and family as small in stature but big in heart, empathetic and passionate.

BHS Principal Cindy Fernbeck, in letting the Spartan staff know Saturday of Christine’s death, wrote: “It has been a long and difficult journey for Christine, and for the Terlesky family, as so many of you know. Many of us had the pleasure of working with Christine when she was a social studies teacher here at Boardman High School. We all have very loving memories of that time, too.”

Fernback recalled having cafeteria duty with Christine.

“She was small in stature, but she always had some substantial heels on. She was kind, empathetic, just a great listener — and she and I did some serious chatting during our lunch duties.

“She was often fired up about something — be it politics on the national level (an unapologetic Democrat, she was!), or union issues at our building level. She would get red in the face while she was passionately discussing the current events of the day, finger pointing and gestures all over the place. For as small as she was, she was full of passion to fill a couple of humans. I never tired of leaning against that cafeteria wall and musing over the state of the world with Christine. She was unforgettable. Today, especially, I treasure those memories.”

ALS attacks nerve cells in the spinal cord and brain, usually resulting in muscle degeneration and atrophy, which typically leads to decreased muscle control movement. Some with the disease lose the ability to move, eat, breathe or speak.

Christine leaves her husband, Brian, and children Brian, Tyler and Emma; as well as Christine’s parents, Ron and Judy Moschella; her in-laws, Ted and Mary Lou Terlesky; and sisters, Nadine and Jolene.

Her sister, Nadine Colla, posted on social media: “She was the strongest person and fought to remain with us as long as she could. As you all know, she lived these last years with joy and grace. She never asked, ‘Why me?’

The message continues: “She lived for others and in the best way she always took care of others. In her last days she did the same, making her children’s Christmas joyful. She gave everyone something special and planned each gift to be meaningful for each person.”

In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for prayers and donations for her children’s college fund through a Huntington Bank fund for Christine.

A year ago, Christine, a 1991 Boardman High School graduate, spoke to The Vindicator about her disease. The newspaper has followed her story in recent years.

“I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to everyone for their continuous spiritual and financial support,” she said then, adding: “I truly appreciate the Youngstown community for their support. There’s no other place like Youngstown.”

She used a specialized electronic pad on a tray table in front of her that can detect eye movement. She also used the device to send text messages, type simple requests such as asking for a drink of water and to access the internet.

She wanted to see more funding set up for ALS research to find a cause and cure for the disease that affects an estimated 14,000 to 15,000 Americans.

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