Tina Telschow's infamous greeting to nurses during her final weeks of life represents how she always lived - with a fierce spirit of independence and a gentle but unwavering love for those around her. "I'm a b****, I'm independent, and you're going to love me before you leave."

Tina M. Telschow, age 62, of Rock Hill, South Carolina, passed away on Saturday, December 17th, 2022, in Charlotte, NC, surrounded by love.

Tina was born on February 22nd, 1960, a snowy day in Pequannock, NJ, and grew up in Ringwood, NJ. She lived in Wanaque, NJ and at the Jersey Shore before moving to Pineville, NC, and then Grand Prairie, TX. Her final home was in Rock Hill, SC, where she kept busy making home improvements and designing her yard and fairy gardens.

Tina had a green thumb, and her flower and vegetable gardens were a source of great pride. She often shared the fruits of her labor with the community. She was an avid bird lover and dedicated herself to caring for her many beloved Eclectus parrots.

Tina worked in the wire and cable sales industry for over 40 years, where she climbed the ranks and dedicated herself to excellence as a leader with a compassionate approach to helping others, gaining several long-time friends in her coworkers along the way.

Tina was known to many for her fighting spirit, perseverance, and "take no crap" attitude - she did what she wanted to do, and she did it her way. She loved who she wanted to love and loved deeply and unconditionally. She focused only on the things that brought her joy, no matter what others thought.

As Tina's spirit now explores the gardens beyond, she is reunited with her many beloved animals who have passed over the years, as well as family and friends who joined her at some point on her journey.

Tina is survived by daughter Jennifer Telschow; son Joseph (Stacey) Engelbrecht; granddaughters Makayla and Reese Engelbrecht; sisters Beverly (Bruce) Anderson and Catherine Bell; grandfurbabies Minnie and Kingsley, stepgrandson Carson Broome; sister-in-law Pat Telschow; several nieces and nephews; a loving circle of friends near and far; and her beloved pets: birds Bella, Yoshi, and Buttercup; a pair of fish; and a tarantula she lovingly took in when her daughter went to college, as only Tina would.

Following her wishes, we will not be having a formal service or funeral for Tina but will be hosting a grand barbeque and celebration of life at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, feel free to donate to her memorial fund.  Or, if you'd like a plant, she left us with many that need a good home. We encourage everyone who loves Tina to celebrate her life in your own way - toast with a glass of Pepsi, share an act of kindness with a stranger, or perhaps raise hell and advocate against an injustice big or small, in the way Tina always did.

Holland Funeral Service is serving the Telschow Family.