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Therese "Terry" Chester

1948 - 2019

Therese "Terry" Chester obituary, 1948-2019, Vancouver, WA

BORN

1948

DIED

2019

FUNERAL HOME

Northwood Park Funeral Home, Cemetery & Mausoleum

16407 North East 15th Avenue

Ridgefield, Washington

Therese Chester Obituary


THERESE ”TERRY” CHESTER
October 6, 1948 ˜ May 7, 2019

Therese ”Terry” Chester passed away May 7, 2019, in Vancouver, WA. Born on October 6, 1948, Terry grew up in small town Woodland, WA with her eight siblings. She graduated from Woodland High School in 1966, attended Gonzaga University in Spokane for two years, took a year off to work, and returned to school, receiving her BA in Education from the University of Portland in 1971.
She taught for three years in Golden, CO, before moving back to Portland in 1974. Terry worked for the Portland School District for the next twelve years, mostly at Columbia Whittaker Middle School, as a teacher and Curriculum Associate; and earned her MA from UP in 1976. She was active in the Portland Association of Teachers, particularly in groups involved with politics, and took a half year leave to work full time for the Oregon Education Association in classified organizing.
In 1983, Terry married Randy Ventgen, who also worked for the OEA; initially living in the Laurelhurst neighborhood of Portland, and then moving to a house just outside of Lake Oswego.
Terry continued to teach until 1986 when daughter, LauraElizabeth Chester Ventgen was born.
Terry had a deep felt interest in women’s rights, in helping the poor and those in need; including disaster relief, ill children, veterans, and animals, and in supporting causes and politicians who believed in those same issues. She volunteered at her daughter’s school, their church, Girl Scouts, the Oregon Food Bank, and on political campaigns for issues and candidates, most recently Hillary Clinton.
Terry had a unique ability for seeking a personal connection with anyone she came in contact with, whether it was her long time family and friends or a new voice on the phone. They weren’t just a name or voice but someone to know. Terry had deep feelings for those who she counted as friends. As she posted not long ago on Facebook, ”It’s important to make friendships that are deeper...friends who you can cry with,...friends who support your life goals”.
The family has lived in Vancouver since 2013 in a house Terry designed not far from her sisters, Barbara and Margaret.
Terry loved animals, from a cat she had growing up, to the horses from Laura’s years of equestrian lessons, the pointer/spaniel cross Emma, Koosh her beloved cockapoo, and Randy’s german shorthaired pointer McKenzie. She was at her heart an artist, enjoying painting, making purses, jewelry making, and other crafting; and she loved giving pieces she had made to family, friends and even those making service calls to the house. She had had plans for her own online crafts business called ”terrymade”. Terry loved traveling and continued doing so as long as she was physically capable.
Terry is survived by her husband, Randy Ventgen; her daughter, Laura Ventgen; her siblings, Margaret Stewart, Barbara Chester, Lenna Mulka, Nora Chester, Jim Chester, Nancy Meng and Kay Chester; as well as other family members, friends, classmates, colleagues and neighbors.
She was preceded in death by her parents, Alice Collins Chester and Leland Rucker Chester; her brother, Nick Chester; her nephew, J.J. Stewart; and her brother-in-law, Art Mulka.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the ASPCA in her name.
Please sign her guest book @ www.columbian.com/obits

Published by The Columbian on May 19, 2019.
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Terry is a colleague and friend who will always be in my heart. We taught at Whitaker Middle school, and she was a remarkable teacher, and an even better friend. We tried to keep up on Facebook, but life got in the way. I can only imagine how wonderful Laura is, and I want to send my sincerest condolences to her and Randy. Terry will always be in my memory as one of the most decent people I have worked with in any institution, particularly at Whitaker where we had to work very hard to make it all come together for our students. She could laugh at herself, and at the world. I particularly appreciate her union work, and her later work for Hillary and progressive values. The world is much improved because of her.

Sonja Grove

Friend

May 20, 2019

Mrs. Chester was a favorite teacher of mine at Columbia/Whitaker. I had no idea she lived/grew up near me. I wished I had thought to search for her and reconnect with her. She was such a great teacher/mentor. She truly made a difference/impact on my education. My condolences to her family. ❤❤❤

Susie Mckee

May 19, 2019

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16407 North East 15th Avenue, Ridgefield, WA 98642

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