Jessica Sweeney This photo is of Teresa in the Spring of 1961, at age 15 1/2.

Jessica Sweeney Teresa graduated with Honors from Westchester High School in Los Angeles

Jessica Sweeney Teresa graduated with her Bachelor's degree from University of California Los Angeles

Jessica Sweeney We always celebrated birthdays together with the extended family. We never made the distinction between halves and steps... we were the big Fistere clan.

Jessica Sweeney Teresa loved this folk string art piece. She chose it to hang in the most prominent place when they moved into the new apartment in Del Mar.

jennifer fistere

jennifer fistere Making the world a better place, by standing up and speaking up.

Forest Long Teresa was a wonderful woman. She brought me into the family only by virtue of knowing Jennifer. She accepted into the family my husband, his sons, our children; all of us. She introduced me to environmental products, Fiji water (how did I live without that delicious water before Teresa?), duvet covers, using a squeegee to clean up glass shower doors, and her delectable laugh/giggle. She was entirely convinced she was a better driver than John and prided herself on telling everyone this, even with John in the passenger seat. She and I spent a fun car ride laughing and laughing when John was lost and the GPS kept stating "recalculating" on a trip to Washington state where she and John paid us a visit and "made" us drive about an hour north for some yummy frozen yogurt. Teresa let us invade her home and even sat through a Red Wings hockey game to appease the males (see picture) and was very good spirited about it all. She shared her massage therapist with me which caused me to become addicted to massage; the best addiction ever. I love hearing her lilt out "Johnnnnn" from their bedroom when he would be in the kitchen whipping up breakfast. Also, check out the lovely animal print blouse she wore on our trip to the Wild Animal Park; coincidence? I think not. LOL I love talking politics and finances with Teresa and dinner with her and John in their home getting to listen to their many stories and wisdom on many topics are nights I'll never forget. I loved Teresa.

Susan Griggs I knew about Teresa when my brother John married her and then met her when he brought her to meet our parents and me in London. (I remember her wonderful brightly coloured California clothes against the damp grey of old walls.) But I didn't really get to know her until 1994 when I retired and went to visit them in El Cajon. She was involved in promoting something in San Diego, which meant her dressing up in an 1890's costume with straw hat and flouncy shirt and carrying a tray on a cord around her neck with -- little nosegays? tickets for a performance? I can't remember what, but she had me and everyone else laughing and buying or taking one of whatever she was offering. She and John then took me to Salt Lake City to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and see the Temple Square museum, where Tree and I ended up disgracing ourselves by getting the giggles over one of the specimen room's decor and John had to shepherd us speedily out of there. Just as we reached the big wrought iron gates a man suddenly appeared in front of us asking for our addresses. I'm a Mormon, said Tree; I'm her husband, said John; I'm, um . . . from London! I said in hopes of wriggling past him, but he said that's fine and kept insisting until John grabbed our hands and we ran. They then took me on to Home Place, where I got to meet some of the Farrs and T & J took me shopping to buy proper walking boots so I could climb with them up into the beautiful Uinta mountains. My city girl lungs weren't up to it and within half an hour I was panting and seeing black dots, so they parked me on a boulder to admire the view while they continued their walk. It was a magical time and I still have the boots. After Jessica and Jamie moved to California, I visited them again, then saw them for a family reunion in Washington and again in London whenever they came this way. The last two times we met were at the British Museum when they were on their Downton Abbey tour, and a month later in Dublin when they were heading off to visit Ireland and Jennifer was with them. We had a mini family reunion there too and I hate not being able to look forward to more of those. Teresa's warmth and spontaneity made my brother and a lot of other people happy, including me. I will miss her very much.

Judi Matsen I grew up with my precious cousin, Teresa. I was right between her and Alan. Lots of fond memories of both of them. And of loving Jerry! Teresa used to tell people that all the bad things and the trouble she got in were because of me. I was a bit of a rebellious child, but knowing Teresa, she stood up for herself. Our Moms were the two youngest of seven kids (there were ten, but the three youngest passed away). So they were very close. We spent a lot of time with them. Our Dad’s became best friends. In fact, her Dad gave the eulogy at my Dad’s funeral service. Teresa and I had some fun experiences, not always the best behavior!! But we made it through! We went to BYU at the same time for a while. More experiences! She still blamed me!!! I will never forget the day she showed up at our family reunion with John to introduce him to the family! I was so thrilled for her. I was two years older than her and single. She told me to never give up! (Oh well, still single!!) In our later life’s it was so good to get to know John. What a sweetheart! And the joy of her life! It has been mentioned how generous she was. She was always trying to buy me furniture or something. She knew I didn’t have a lot of money. All the adjectives I have heard today, fit her perfectly! Loving, caring, generous, loyalty, opinionated, not afraid to stand up, fun loving!! I could go on. I lost my two brothers in the last few months. So this hit me a little harder. Three of the most precious people in my life. So grateful to have had all three of them to share my life!! I will miss her!! Love to John and the brothers! The picture above was taken from a Facebook post and unfortunately I am not tech savvy enough any more to trim it!

Jane Jackson Teresa has always been a part of my life. I remember when she was about 18 years old and I was 23... the trouble we used to get into. We were always in the wrong place at the wrong time. One time we were in Holiday Park, in the middle of winter, and I accidentally let the horses out of the neighbor's yard. We ran around in our pajamas trying to get the horses back into where they belong. We laughed the whole time. There were many happy times through the years. Teresa introduced to her voice teacher. We sang together many times. We sang for Aunt Erma on her 90th birthday. We are both sopranos and when it was time to sing alto, Teresa had to sing it. I couldn't read alto like she could. She loved to sing! Teresa and John sang in the San Diego Chorus for many years. I want to express how grateful I am for Teresa, her parents, and family for being so generous and thoughtful and for the great love they had for me and my kids. They loved family and I appreciate them always keeping us in touch with one another. Teresa, you're a very special part of my life. Your kindness and love are something I am truly thankful for. We appreciate you for taking care of us. Just last night, my daughter Beth said, "What would we have done without Teresa?" Growing up, Teresa always had a happy heart. We had some fabulous times together. A few months ago, she said to me, "You are truly my sister." Indeed, we were like sisters. Until we meet again, Love, Jane

Jane Jackson Jane and Teresa

Josie Dahan One of my memories with Teresa was the fact she always supported the interest my sister and I were into. This picture is when we all went to see Cats. I remembered her and I would always sit there talking about life and she loved hearing what I am into. The last thing she loved hearing about was my lacrosse and she was so loving and kind and wanted me to have a new stick so I can grow. Every time I use it I will be reminded of her. I loved being around her because she was so excited and cared about my sister and I. We will miss you ❤️

Alison Farr Hoover Teresa was a teenager when I was born, and I grew up admiring her for her courage, honesty, free- spirit and warm heart. She skinny-dipped in mountain lakes, ate the entire container of chocolate ice cream if you dared leave it in the freezer. And then she didn’t apologize, because she warned you she’d eat it all. She always had 2 dogs-because dogs need friends too. And she always reached out to help others who were in need. My aunt was a singer with a beautiful voice—when I hear Send in the Clowns, I can still hear her singing it. She was a generous, loving lady, who sometimes struggled with her own demons, but nevertheless persevered and insisted on living life to the fullest. I’ve been going through hundreds of photos this week, sent to me by many family members, to put together a photo slide show for her Zoom memorial. I’ve included a couple favorites, when she took me to the pumpkin patch to play with the monkey, and when she taught me how to cross-country ski—it’s harder than it looks! One photo that I really wanted to show was the b&w photo that I found in her albums. It was mixed in with some shots from the 60’s and early 70’s. And it is so timely I had to share it. She passed away just before the protests started a few weeks ago. But if she’d still been here and been able, she would have been out there (with a mask on) shoulder to shoulder with her fellow equal rights friends.

John Fistere ♥️ ♥️ ♥️

Alison Farr Hoover Missing my aunt Teresa, today and everyday. This was Jan, 28, 2017 Long Beach, CA.