Christina Louise Passoth

Beloved mother, wife, and teacher, Christy’s vibrant life brought beauty and love to many. After surviving breast cancer twice, her prolonged battle with early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s ended peacefully on Feb. 17, 2026, her family by her side.

Born in Pittsburgh, PA, she grew up in Highland, CA. She earned a Master’s degree and was a Language Arts teacher at the Walnut Valley School District for more than 40 years at Chaparral Junior High. In 2005, she was named Teacher of the Year for LA County.

She was a member of volunteer organization Soroptimist International, founder of early literacy program Books for Babes, an avid jogger and gym regular, and won numerous beauty pageants.

Known for her glamour, she loved clothes, especially ST. JOHN knits, and would not wear an outfit twice in one year.

She grew prize-winning orchids and African violets, grew up sewing her own clothes, she ran the Olympic torch and traveled the world from Europe to Hong Kong to Alaska.

The devoted wife of Donald Terry for 48 years and mother of Jennifer (husband Dan Girton), Kimberly (husband Dan Burbott), and Bryan; a grandmother-to-be sharing the excitement of Kim’s ultrasound before her passing. She is survived by her brother Andrew (wife Alexis and daughters Allyssa and Robyn) and preceded in death by her sisters Ann (son Lee) and Elizabeth.

Her viewing will be at Stone Funeral Home in Upland on Thursday, March 19 from 4pm to 8pm. Her funeral mass, open to all, will be Friday, March 20, at 10am St. Anthony’s in Upland. A private burial with family will follow. She will be laid to rest at Riverside National Cemetery joining her mother Margaret and father John.

In lieu of flowers and in honor of her passion for early literacy, the family asks for a favorite children’s book for her granddaughter due in September with the words “from Grandma Christy” written inside.