Teresa Wendling Carter

TERESA "TEDA" WENDLING CARTER August 20, 1921 ~ October 14, 2015 My mother passed away on October 14, 2015, at the age of 94. She was a very organized woman, so why shouldn't she write her own obituary? The following is what she wrote in 2013: Writing has always been one of my favorite hobbies, so why not use it to write this final note to my autobiography-a do-it-yourself obituary! As I write this, I am anticipating my 92nd birthday. My parents were Martin Anthony Wendling and Helena Guenther Wendling. I was born on August 20, 1921, in New Orleans, Louisiana, on the hottest day in fifty years. My sisters, Carola and Helena welcomed me with happy hearts. I was named Teresa Mary, but right from the start, I was called Teda. I loved school, except for that one bad-hair day in fourth grade, and especially enjoyed my four years at Redemptorist High School, where I graduated at age 15, then spent the next two years at the Joseph A. Maybin School for Graduates, preparing for a career in business. My first job was with the Walgreen Louisiana Company in their District Accounts Payable Office, where I remained for the next seven years. Meanwhile, World War II started, and on January 7, 1943, my life changed forever because of a blind date - I met a handsome sailor named Donald Wayne Carter! Three months later, we became engaged, just a week before he had to leave on June 9, 1944. After the war, we moved to Vancouver, Washington, which was Don's home and started our life together, which was deeply enriched by the arrival of our darling daughter, Wendie. In 1956, I started working at The Columbian in the Circulation Department and retired in 1984. Our retirement years were filled with travels all over the country, as we attended annual reunions of WWII Navy PT Boaters from 1971 until Don's death in 2001. We were also active in Save the PT Boat, Inc. in Portland, Oregon. Many other trips were made in our trailer. Due to a little prodding from Don, I learned to enjoy fishing and hiking, but my main hobbies in addition to writing (I've written some poetry and a couple of family histories) were sewing and gardening, playing pinochle and attending exercise classes at Firstenberg Community Center, where I continues to make new friends. I have been a member of St. Joseph Catholic Church since 1950, and was active in its Golden Fellowship luncheons since its beginning. I was preceded in death by my beloved husband, Don Carter and my two sisters, Carola Jones and Helen Giroir. I am survived by my loving daughter, Wendie (Michael) Bromley; granddaughter, Michelle (Jeremiah) Wells; grandson, Kevin (Beth) Bromley; and two great-grandchildren, Trevor and Heather Bromley. Thank you, Wendie and Michael, for all your good advice and support during my later years (even when I didn't think I needed it). I couldn't have done it without you. The family would like to especially thank the Kaiser Hospice organization. While Mom was not on Hospice for very long, their help and support were so appreciated. If you wish to send a remembrance in Mom's name, please donate to: Kaiser Hospice, 2701 NW Vaughn St., Ste. 140, Portland, OR 97210. Please sign her guest book at: www.columbian.com/obits.

Teresa Wendling Carter

August 20, 1921 - October 14, 2015