Meredith Hope Gustafson

Meredith Hope Gustafson, our beautiful, tender and compassionate Mom, peacefully passed away in Spring, Texas at her goal age of 88 years young, with her three children surrounding her.

Like her namesake, Meredith always had hope - hope for her family, hope for her community, hope for the planet, hope for the underdog and hope for the unseen amongst us. Meredith never adored her first name however, so when she entered high school, she picked four letters out of her name and introduced herself as Teri to her friends and family forevermore.

Teri was born in Minneapolis, MN in 1937 and traveled to Seattle as a baby with her beloved mother Fern Evelyn Ness. Teri always considered Seattle her home, even though she lived in a handful of American cities and abroad throughout her years. Two significant homes for Teri were in Germany, where her two oldest children Debra Valles (Milligan) and David Milligan were born and in Maryland where her daughter Kristina Pujolar (Gustafson) was born. In Teri’s retirement, she spent more than 25 years of life in the Kitsap County towns of Indianola, Bainbridge Island and Poulsbo, WA where she loved the views of the Olympic Mountains, the sparkling beauty of the Salish Sea and the forested drives in her favorite Cadillac. Teri’s final days were spent in Texas with her devoted, caregiving daughter Debbie and son-in-law Martin and their many healing dogs. This team held Teri in their tender arms and generous care until her final breath.

Teri was proudly educated at Alki and Summit Elementaries, Meany Middle School, Garfield High School class of 1954 and Washington State College class of 1957. Teri was a pioneer in her family as the first female college graduate; she finished college in three years with a psychology degree. Teri supported Garfield and WSU until her final days and forever loved being a Bulldog and a Cougar.

Teri had a variety of jobs during her years, but was most proud of her time as a Social Worker employed by Seattle Child Protective Services; as a PR Representative for the Frye Art Museum; as a Concierge at the Smith Tower; as a business owner of ‘Macrame by Meredith’ and then concluded her career as the Treasurer at Seattle Prep High School where she met many lifelong friends whom she loved deeply.

Teri had exquisite taste, loved fashion, gourmet meals, playing bridge, puzzling, interior design and calculating numbers on her ten-key adding machine. Mom supported the Arts in a variety of ways and especially loved her volunteer experience with the North Kitsap Arts & Crafts Fair. She loved an ice cold, Bombay gin martini with four olives on the side in a tall stemmed glass and adored charcuterie trays before they were trendy. Mom was happiest on a beach in Kauai with a dark tan, a bathing suit, a floppy sun hat and flip flops as her uniform.

Teri was a living legend, a style icon and a woman who owned her power and voice. She deeply loved her children and their spouses, Debbie (Martin), David (Margot), and Tina (Marty), her nine grandchildren, her eight great-grandchildren, and her Goddaughter, Kristy Wessels. Teri’s friends were her family and her dogs were her companions and she enjoyed nothing more than an uncontrollable giggle session while sharing conversation with her favorite people on an outdoor patio with a water view nibbling on pickled herring, brie, water crackers and mixed nuts.

Teri will be missed deeply and she will forever be in our hearts and minds.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made out to four important charities close to Teri’s heart:

1. The Gustafson Endowment at Seattle Prep which was started in 1993 by Teri to create an ongoing stream of funding to support tuition assistance into perpetuity. In the comment box, enter Gustafson Endowment. https://www.seaprep.org/support-prep/give

2. The Southern Poverty Law Center will support justice for the most vulnerable and promote equality and human rights for all people. Teri donated to this center for many years and proudly displayed their bumper stickers on her door at her assisted living apartment. Please contact SPLC at 334-956-8200.

3. The Suquamish Foundation works with the Suquamish Tribe to design and fund projects that provide cultural, educational, and recreational services for their community. Please contact the Suquamish Foundation at 360-394-8453.

4. The Three Little Pitties is a dog and cat rescue non-profit organization located in Houston, TX. They are dedicated to fostering, re-homing and promoting responsible pet ownership and the importance of adoption. Debbie Valles is an active volunteer and foster parent and Teri was lovingly encircled by many foster dogs at the end of her days. A Venmo donation can be made to @threelittlepittiesrescue (charity account).

Knowing that Teri’s memory is being honored through contributions to social causes brings us great comfort. Teri always lived life “Her Way” and used her skills and her voice to help others in our community and country. Our wish for you is to remember Teri’s Hopeful and tenacious spirit and her loving devotion to family and friends in your own lives.