Marta Lee Terranova

Marta Lee Terranova, age 77, of Tigard, Oregon passed away on Friday, September 9, 2022. Marta was born September 1, 1945, to Aksel and Sylvia Barka in Chicago. Marta and her family moved to California in 1952. Seven years later, Marta met the love of her life Arthur Robert Terranova- otherwise known as Bob- Marta was fourteen years old and knew that he was the one she was going to spend her life with right away. Her parents said that she can marry only once she is eighteen and graduated from high school. Marta and Bob married on September 21st, 1963, right after she had graduated high school and turned eighteen!

Marta and Bob lived a full life, raising their children Teresa and David in their California home. Their home was always full, with their own children, their children’s friends, neighbors, and Marta and Bob’s friends and family. Everyone who visited was welcome to their cabinets and fridge. No food was off limits- except for the Ding Dongs. Those treats were for Marta and Marta alone. Marta loved to cook large meals, and would rather cook for a group of 25 than a group of 5- the more the merrier! Thanksgiving was her time- when she ran the show and cooked meals taught to her by her beloved Mother Sylvia and Mother-in-Law Jennie.

When Marta was not spending her time cooking and playing board games with her loved ones, she would be watching hockey on TV, putting together a jigsaw puzzle, or filling out her crossword puzzles. She was also a fan of gameshows- even participating in two and winning a car as a grand prize in 1974! Marta was also a cancer survivor, as she was diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and beat it!

Marta was incredibly happy to see her family grow, and was elated when she became a grandma! She and her family moved to Oregon in 2005, it was there she retired her Ding Dongs for Tillamook Chocolate Peanut Butter ice cream, and her and Bob discovered their love for Spirit Mountain Casino. She also made frequent trips to Powell’s books, as she was an avid reader. Despite the distance, she remained incredibly close with her friends, spent most of her days catching up with them over the phone.

Marta is survived and incredibly missed by her husband Arthur "Bob" Terranova; her son David Scott Terranova (Jill); daughter Teresa Lynn Terranova; father-in-law Onofrio Zicari; brother Olav Barka (Sue), her sisters Barbara Whitehead (Rick) and Joanne Long (Jerry).; her 3 grandchildren, Trevor (Julia), Brett, Shea; 2 great-grandchildren; her many nieces and nephews; and countless friends.

Marta was preceded in death by her parents Aksel Barka and Sylvia Irene Barka; and her mother-in-law Jennie Zicari. Marta was extremely close to her in laws, she had a very special connection to both the Zicaris and the Terranovas.

“The bond that links your true family is not one of blood,

but of respect and joy in each other’s life.”

-Richard Bach