Theresa Lewis

In Loving Memory of

Theresa Lewis
of Portland, OR
08/15/1962 – 08/20/2026

Theresa Lewis passed peacefully on August 20, 2026 at the University of Washington Medical Center in Seattle. Terri suffered from IPF, a rare genetic lung condition. Terri was on the pulmonary transplant list for 9 months and had done everything possible to stay strong and ready for a miraculous but not uncommon surgery. Her family appreciates the last minute lung donation search effort made by UW staff and the nursing care she received at the hospital. Just days earlier she had celebrated her 64th birthday and was positive and strong.

Terri was born August 15, 1962 to Jen Mobley and Lynda Phillips in Boise, Idaho. She grew up in the great outdoors of Idaho, Arizona, Washington and California with her big brother Rick and little sister Ronni. She cared for many animals, including pet rats, an indestructible dog named Brommel and her inseparable horses Champagne and Cricket. She competed in dressage events on Champagne with Cricket always trailing close behind. Terri loved science, drama and singing and appeared in many productions at Pocatello High School.

As a young adult, Terri attended Humboldt State University in the redwoods where she would one day get a teaching degree. During summers in Alaska, Terri lived in a cabin, raised sled dogs and worked in the service industry, often cycling swiftly to work to out pace the energetic local moose. Her bear stories were always terrifying and humorously self-deprecating. Terri had perspective and confidence that drew people to her. Her laugh was both disarming and contagious.

After sailing single handedly through the Caribbean, Terri met a boy from New Jersey on the island of St. John. She shanghaied him back to the redwoods where they married in 1992. Wearing a dress handmade by her Granny, Terri hopped on a tandem bike with her groom after the ceremony. That same year, she graduated with a teaching degree and in 1995 the couple moved to Portland, Oregon. For 26 years, Terri taught in public high schools including CRYC in Columbia County and Rosemary Anderson in Portland. She received education endorsements in the Social Sciences, Math, Special Education and Administration from Portland State University and Lewis and Clark College. She was the one and only teacher and founder of the Columbia River Youth Corps, one of Oregon's longest running alternative programs. Under her direction, the CRYC graduated hundreds of high school students who otherwise may have slipped through the cracks. During the pandemic, Terri often drove to students' homes to meet with them "al fresco", occasionally leaving behind a bag of groceries for the family. Even in retirement, Terri continued to teach, subbing as an elementary phys ed and dance instructor or as a middle school SPED teacher. She loved to travel anywhere with her husband John, once walked across the Czech Republic with her mom and friends, spent hours every day reading books, created unique needlework art for her relatives, and became an ardent Timbers fan.

Terri is mourned by her husband John of 34 years, her brother Rick Hyce, sister Ronni Hyce, her son Ryan Fontaine, nieces and nephews, aunts and uncles, and many far flung friends, colleagues and students from her life's journey.

Terri hopes folks give to any cause in support of the natural world we live in.