Maria Teresa Vert
March 11, 1931 - December 6, 2015
Obituary
Teresa Vert
11 Mar 1931 – 6 Dec 2015
Even though she called herself Teresa Trouble, we just knew her as Mom. Teresa Vert was a character by anyone’s assessment. Friendly to a fault, talented, creative, she was relentlessly happy and anxious to know all about every new person she met. She was born 11 Mar 1931 in Seattle to John and Antonetta Strano Rechichi. She attended Immaculate High School and quickly made friends with other enthusiastic young women who became life long friends. In 1951 she married Jim Vert, an Air Force serviceman she met roller skating. They settled in Beverly Park and raised 6 children and a couple of dogs.
Mom devoted herself to her family, her church, and her community. She led Brownie and Girl Scout Troops, was a precinct committeewoman during elections, volunteered for hot lunch programs and every fund raiser at her children’s schools. When the youngest girls were in school, she began a new career at Seattle Trust, later Key Bank, where she rose through the ranks, retiring as a vault teller at 72. In later years, she and Dad donated hams and made 325 sandwiches every month for the St. Martin de Porres Shelter. She volunteered as a reader at St. Bernadette’s grade school, did filing for the police department and was a greeter and guide at Highline Medical Center. She also crocheted baby blankets for a women’s shelter. She was so well known that we would take bets when we went to Fred Meyer to see how many people we would run into who knew her from the bank, the school, the police department, the church. Her world was filled with friends and she seemed to know everyone!
Mom was an accomplished ceramicist and a very gifted china painter. When one of her daughters balked at making a stained glass window for her, she did it herself, becoming a talented stained glass designer and creator. She sewed, tailored, crocheted, taught crocheting, and made beautiful counted cross stitch pictures for each of us. A trip to JoAnn’s for embroidery thread became a lesson in color discrimination and theory.
Alzheimer’s stole her away bit by bit, but she never gave up. “I just have to keep trying. I’m going to give that another try. I just have to do it.” That was her mantra.
Teresa was predeceased by her husband, Jim; her parents; her brother, Tony; and her doxie, Luigi. She is survived by her six children: Chris, Kathleen (Dave), Jeff (Tina), Cheryl (Rick), Lisa (Tim) and Patti, and Mike whom she loved as a son. She leaves 18 grandchildren and 13 great-grandchildren. Donations may be made to Providence Mt. St. Vincent Foundation, or the charity of your choice.
To honor our mother, take a moment to make your corner of the world a better place: smile at a child, hold a door, donate your time or money, make a silly face, and let “I love you” always be the last words you say to your parents, your child, your friends.
Mama Vert
I have long missed those great dinners you invited me to attend as a young man with your family. Your smile and friendship has always been one of the bright spots in my younger life and I remember them quite often.
Thank you and know you are missed by many.
Mommy, I miss you so much. I would give everything I have to hear your special ringtone. I love you with all my heart. I’ll see you soon……Trisha Risha Ree
You had an infectious laugh, charming wit and a love for all you called family. I am thankful to have known you.
Rest in peace knowing that your personality and love for others flows through your daughter “Patty”. Rest well and comforted she is in good hands.
I always loved the opportunity to join in the Jim and Terry side of the family . She as well as everyone else always welcomed us onto the home and heart with open arms. I remember bringing a new guy friend to an event. And Aunt Terry had a million questions … and I thought to myself.. this is how I will be someday.. taking her example of wanting to get to know something special about every person she met. We teased her a bit perhaps about it. But I always had the feeling that her sometimes silly questions were out of a desire to make someone feel more comfortable in a new place. Finding the things she might have in common … a nice way to “break the ice” with a scared to death teen age boy!
I remeber the first time she was not sure who I was. I could see in her eyes how difficult it was for her to know that she sometimes just didnt know. ..
The last time I saw her… she knew who I was. It made us both very happy.
She will be missed by all.
All my love until we meet again !
Jodi
Your mom and mine probably attended lots of IHS Alumnae events. I was happy to attend HNA with Chris. She sounds like such a great mom. My thoughts and prayers are with you.
I am a friend of Lisa. Your mom and dad must of been very special to have raised such a wonderful woman as Lisa and I am sure all of you. I pray your memories of your special mom take away some of your sadness. Most sincerely and with love, . Paula
My mother Gloria Ursino became friends with Mrs.Vert at Immaculate High School. In our early childhood years our families spent time together. My memories of Mrs. Vert are portrayed beautifully in her obituary. I can still see her beaming smile and feel her positive , gracious nature. Although this piece of our history is gone, the memories and contributions she made, along with her family, will always be remembered.
May she be granted eternal rest.
Sincerely,
Christian Ursino
My sympathy to your family. Teresa will be missed. I worked with her making sandwiches. We have belonged to Our Lady Of Lourdes for a long time and lived near each other. I did see her Friday, but she was sleeping. So sorry for your loss.
Mama Vert was my children’s Wa grandmama … always there with her smiles, hugs and sweet words of encouragement coupled with her great Italian foods. Along with Papa Vert there were always summer jobs around the house for my boys. Stacey and her Tim went to Mama Vert for help with their wedding plans. Teresa was my dear friend always smiling, so devoted to Blessed Mary, always doing for others and the best example of wife and mother that I was blessed to know. Our prayers are with all her family…
we know she is with Papa in heaven! Love all the Frenches
Dear Christine, Kathleen and Family,
On behalf of all our Sisters, especially those who taught at Immaculate and loved that special place so much, we extend our prayerful sympathy to you and your family and friends. May your Mother’s new way of living in God’s presence bring great peace and joy to her, and may you experience her nearness always.
I am a friend of Lisa from Marysville Ford!
Your mother sounded like she had a very fun filled life!
Lisa always came to work with her contagious smile
and her sweet mother had alot to do with that I’m sure!
I am so sorry for the loss of your best friend and with all she
did to help others less fortunate she has a special place in Heaven with your dad!
Love, Gary Daum
Mrs Vert was a wonderful person who always had a smile and a laugh for you. She was always so helpful and patient with my grandmother when we would do her banking. Too we always saw her at St Bernadette where my son went to school. Well after he graduated we would see her and she always asked about our family. Mrs. Vert you will be truly missed, and the world needs more people like you.
Lisa,
I am so sorry for your loss. Your mom sounds like a very caring fun loving woman. May you find comfort and peace during this difficult time. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Becky
I worked with Teresa for many years at a different branch of KeyBank. Her mother lived right behind us and I asked her if I could take her mother to the various Italian functions. Later I helped her out with the Piccola Italia Lodge of Sons of Italy. What a wonderful woman and friend.
I was saddened to hear of your mom’s passing. I saw and spoke with her occasionally at Mt. St. Vincent, and although she didn’t remember me, she was always as friendly and kind as when I knew your family during our high school years. She was a lovely and welcoming lady, and I will always remember her warmly.
I’m the next door neighbor who loved and babysat Chris, Kathy, Jeff and Cheryl from the time I was about ten until I left for college. Teresa was always very good to me and encouraged me with my own ceramics and art projects. I loved her and I have often thought of all of you over the past 30-50 years and have prayed that you have all been having a great life..
I am a friend to Jeff and Tina Vert. I did not know Teresa but reading her life story inspires and influences my life. She is the shining example of the phrase ‘giving is better than receiving’. My condolences go out to the entire Vert family. -Phil Segadelli
I have know Mrs Vert all my life from being a parishioner at Our Lady of Lourdes and attending school there with her children. Sorry for your loss. Know that she is happy in heaven with ypur Dad and they are together again.
Our sympathy and prayers go out to you and your family. May you find peace and happiness recalling all those beautiful memories you have shared together with her.
I went to Our lady of Lourdes school in the mid 60’s with her children. I can still see her contagious smile and the laughter in her voice. As an Adult I worked in Burien and saw her weekly at the bank. She always asked how mom was and I inquired about those I went to school with. She was a good friend, a good role model and a general happy soul to be sorely miss by her many friends, acquaintances, family and me. My love and prayers for her and her family , especially during this season
Chris,
I am very sorry to hear about the passing of your Mom. However, it sounds like she was an amazing person, mother, friend. We all have a lot to be thankful for when looking at the support , love and gifts our mothers gave us.
Peace to you and your family.
You are in my thoughts and prayers.
I got the pleasure of getting to know Teresa when I visited my parents at the Mount Saint Vincent at dinnertime. She was always the life of the party! Cracking jokes all the time, and funny ones too! And she wouldn’t rest until I accepted her offer of a bowl of ice cream. She would insist on getting it. She was such a giving person! While it may be a bit easier for me to keep my weight down, i will miss her company dearly at the dinner table when I visit my folks. Everyone else there misses her too.
I was sorry to hear of your mother’s passing. My mother and your mother were childhood friends and we recently found some pictures of them at Immaculate high school. We have one photograph in particular we’d like to send to you. Please let me know how I could arrange to send this to you. I can be reached at Christian@christianursino.com.
Sincerely,
Christian Ursino
Christian, thank you so much. I tried to email you but it wouldn’t go through. Please email me at ITLNGRL67@gmail.com
Thank you!