Phoenix, AZ.
Teresina Anna Catarina was born on November 25th, 1913, in Boston, MA, to Italian immigrant
parents Fiorentino and Maria Ciampa, the 4th of 10 children. Known as “Teddy” to her brother
George and many close family members, and “Terri” to friends and family. She grew up in
Boston and often told stories of trying on her older sister’s beautiful dresses while they were out
dancing, and later going to dances herself. She loved dancing her whole life! She moved with her
family to Southern California in her early 20’s; she would call California home for most of her
life. She got her cosmetology license in California in 1935, she married Gene Oehlman in 1939.
They had 2 children, Linda and Greg. Her marriage to Gene ended in 1951. In 1939 she owned
and operated Ritz Beauty Salon in Inglewood, CA, until 1943 when she moved to AZ while
Gene was in Cadet School and then moving to various States while he was stationed many
different places until he went overseas during WWII. She moved back to CA to be close to
family and raise her children and continued mostly working as a hairdresser until the late 1970’s.
She was a natural artist. She did her first piece at age 13, of her grandfather. She later took oil
painting classes and loved to paint and sketch. She met Bill Perry in 1976 at a dance studio in
Redondo Beach, CA. They married in 1978. She loved to learn! In 1980 she went to Real Estate
School and got her Real Estate License. She and Bill started W.T. Perry Realty together in the
1980’s and kept their licenses active until 1998. They both shared a love for their blended family,
music, being active in St. Clare’s (their local church), traveling together, visiting family, and
having guests come to stay in their home in Santa Clarita, CA. After almost 25 years of marriage,
Bill passed away and a few years after Therese moved to Arizona in 2010, so she could be close
to her granddaughter Kameron Shelsta and her family. She spent the last 10 years in Arizona.
She lived independently until after her 99th birthday and then moved to assisted living where she
was known for her love of singing and music.
Therese loved to tell stories of family memories and share advice with her grandchildren, greatgrandchildren,nieces and nephews and was always happy to meet new people and make new
friends. She was a loving sister, aunt, mother, step-mother, grandmother and great-grandmother,
as well as friend to many!
Therese was preceded in death by her parents Maria & Fiorentino Ciampa, her ex-husband Gene
Oehlman, 2nd husband Bill Perry, step-son Glen Perry, her brothers and sisters, James Ciampa,
Gene Ciampa, Fred Ciampa, Caroline Sardella, Sally Smith & Marie Martin. She is survived by
her 2 children Linda Stroffe and Greg Oehlman, step-son Tom Perry, her sisters and brother
Eleanor Taff, Alice Andrews & George Ciampa, 12 grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren, many
nieces and nephews and many other friends and relatives.
She will certainly always live on in our hearts through our unforgettable memories of her.
Funeral services will be held outdoors at Eternal Valley Memorial Park Mortuary 23287 North
Sierra Highway, Newhall, CA 91321 on October 29th, 2020 at 10:00AM with graveside service
to follow at 11:00AM
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