Teresa was such a wonderful friend, a true soul friend. I met her when she first moved to California to teach, and help out with our local Catholic Worker house- the Franciscan Workers. She, Cathy Mills and I were roommates for a while. Even though she moved back up to Washington years ago, we have kept in contact, talking 1-2X per month on the phone, and trying to meet up once a year for a fun weekend. She was such a good listener, and was always excited to share good news about her family members whom she loved so much.
I have so many memories of her- time spent doing summer camps with migrant kids and our disabled campers; Protesting at the nuclear test site in Nevada; trips to Yosemite, Vancouver, and Oregon to go to a play in Ashland; going to see concerts and plays in San Francisco; singing at masses, St Patricks' parties, and special events; celebrating holidays with phone calls, special cards, and little gifts; supporting one another when an intruder got into our apartment one night, and she helping out and supporting another friend and I when we had come up to Seattle to see his step daughter who was terminally ill in the hospital.
Mother Teresa said we are "Called to be lights in the world", and that is what our Teresa was. She was patient, helpful, kind and generous.
She loved nature, art and music. Her life was not easy. She had some health challenges and lived simply, but she was always positive.
I went to the ocean recently to sit and journal about Teresa, and say some prayers for her. I got the sense that she was like the ocean birds, free to fly, sing, and dance in the waves. I saw a group of large black cormorants on a big rock, and thought, they are like us, mourning the loss of our friend. I took a walk along the coast line, and when I returned, one white egret had joined all the other black birds on the rock-a sign that her spirit is with us and at peace.
My sincere condolences to all of her dear family. I have met so many of you over the years. I know you meant the world to her. You are all in my prayers, and in the prayers of many of her Salinas friends whom I have talked with. Take care.