Theresa Rossiter

Theresa was born August 6, 1943 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late John Swanson and the late Lillie Litzell Swanson of Hudson, Ohio. Theresa earned a BA from Kent State University. She sang and played guitar with The Lowlanders (her future husband's folk group) where they had a weekly radio show on the Kent State University AM station. She and Richard Rossiter were married on June 18, 1966. Theresa, Richard and their daughter, Lisa, traveled west from Ohio and settled here in Corvallis in 1977. That was only the start of their adventures! They lived in Egypt four years and Larnica, Cyprus for a year where they met their good friend Todor Grigorov who they unofficially "adopted" as their son. They also lived in Reston, Virginia, San Francisco and moved back to Corvallis in 2004. When 16, Theresa soloed in a piper cub and received her pilots license. Music was always an important part of her life; she started playing the piano before she was five and has played many instruments including, clarinet, saxophone, flute, oboe, French horn, organ and guitar. She was a painter; her first show was when she lived in Cairo in the 1990s. But, this was not her only contribution to the art world. She was a skilled and talented knitter and created intricate designs into sweaters, shawls, blankets, hats, pillow covers for her friends and family; some of her most creative works were knitted toys for her granddaughter, Halcyon. Throughout her life, Theresa had many interests ranging form managing political campaigns to her most resent job as a software designer of websites for non-profits. While taking chemotherapy, she developed surviving-cancer.com. She was on the board of directors for Ten Rivers Food Web and the Corvallis Multi-Cultural Literacy Center. Closer to home, wherever she lived, she created peaceful sanctuaries, not only for wildlife but for her family as well. She designed backyards to entice birds and other wildlife. She practiced organic gardening techniques and converted the small city lot and parkway strip into vegetable gardens and orchards. She inspired others how to do this and soon her neighborhood was full of street-side gardens. Theresa is survived by her loving husband, Richard Rossiter of Corvallis; a daughter, Lisa Rossiter and partner, Robert Rhodes, a granddaughter, Halcyon Rhodes all of LA; her "adopted son" Todor Gigorov and his partner Brian Welch of San Francisco; her sister, Maureen Swanson of Corvallis, her sister-in-law Barbara Goodwyn of Chester, VA and her brother-in-law Dave Rossiter of Olmstead, OH. Friends may join the family for a memorial Service to be held Monday 1/17/2011 3PM at McHenry Funeral Home in Corvallis. Theresa's wishes for her final resting place is to be buried according to the "be a tree" philosophy. A tree will be planted by her grave as a living token of the wonderful life she shared with family and friends. The family has requested that in lieu of flowers, donations may be made by check to the Ten Rivers Food Web, PO Box 2189, Corvallis, OR 97339.

Tributes

Theresa Rossiter

August 6, 1943 - January 10, 2011