Theresa Joan Pallari

Mom was born in San Francisco, California on March 25, 1928.  She was the youngest of 5 children born to P.A. Sargent and Nell Hanrahan Sargent.  She grew up in the Richmond district just 4 blocks away from her future husband, Bill Pallari, whom she married in 1946.  They had 4 children together.  Their oldest child, Billy, was born with a heart defect, and he died in 1964.  In 1965, Bill and Terry left the Bay Area and moved their family to Portland, Oregon. 

In the early 1970's, Terry began working with Vietnamese refugees through St. Rose of Lima Catholic Church. For many years, she helped members of that community find housing, jobs, schooling opportunities and adjust to life in Oregon. Her volunteer work at St. Rose evolved into a career as Pastoral Assistant which she performed for 19 years. She visited the sick and elderly, worked with the Young Mother's group, helped collect and distribute food and clothing, wrote the bulletin, and helped 6 different priests meet and get to know their parishioners. 

 

Terry had 6 grandchildren and 7 great grandchildren and loved having 4 generational photos taken with them. She married Don Westom in 1999 and enjoyed his grand and great grandchildren as well. Her house was filled with photos and drawings the children sent her.

When Don died in 2017, Terry declined (vehemently!) to move to an assisted living facility or live with any of her children.  She preferred a quiet living environment and setting her own schedule.  Thanks to in home services such as Store To Door grocery delivery (especially Michael), she never ran out of  her beloved pies or brownie bites.  Thanks to The State Library Talking Books program, she received free audio books weekly and in spite of significant vision loss she read more than 250 books this last year. Thanks also to Miguel F. and Kathy K. for helping to keep her home looking nice.

Terry was a lifelong Democrat and loved Michelle and Barack Obama (in that order!). She lived her liberal values and was a generous donor to multiple social service agencies. She was especially fond of The Community Transitional School which provides a stable learning environment for children in unstable living situations.

Her large family, including her 100 year old brother John, is grateful that Mom was able to remain at home, in good physical condition and mentally sharp until the end of her 96 years.  As she laughingly said, "I never dreamed I would live so long!" She died at home on April 12, 2024.