Thérèse Leonore Tiernan Maes

Thérèse (Terry) Maes (née Tiernan) passed away peacefully on July 25, 2026. She was born on May 25, 1940, in Palo Alto, California to the late Elisabeth (née Tichenor) and Earl Tiernan and grew up in a large Irish family with four sisters and two brothers.

Terry was a born educator, a lifelong learner, and a seeker of wisdom. She attended Notre Dame Belmont for her B.A. and earned her Master’s degree at Regis University in Colorado. She taught French and Latin early in her career, held the role of Family Life Director for the Diocese of San José, and spent decades teaching and championing Natural Family Planning. With her colleague, Sheila St. John and others, she founded the California Association for Natural Family Planning (CANFP), an achievement that brought together her tremendous devotion to her Catholic faith, her commitment to women’s health, and her dedication to family.

She was a devout Catholic and led a deeply contemplative life, constantly seeking to integrate spirituality and ritual into daily life – she had an encyclopedic knowledge of the Saints, there was nothing she loved more than observing a Holy Day, and she never met a Catholic ritual that she didn’t enjoy.

Her electric smile that lit up the room will be missed by all, and her unabashed willingness to sing silly songs that would get the whole family laughing and singing along on long car rides is something they will always remember. She loved listening to Perry Como, and her fondness for him was eclipsed only by her love for her devoted husband, José, who was always willing to go on any adventure she dreamed up – even if it meant moving his entire family to Spain on a year-long sabbatical.

Terry had a knack for bringing the family together. She especially loved spending time with extended family in La Honda, and devoted considerable time and energy to stewarding the family property and preserving it for generations to come.

She is survived by José, her husband and partner of 60 years, children Marina, Lynne (Hank), Elise (Steve), Matthew (Katie), and grandchildren Henry, Angelo (Vanessa), Elisabeth, Evangeline (✝), Warren, and Mary, who lovingly refer to her as Tess.

A Memorial Mass will be held on Saturday, August 22nd, at St. Martin of Tours, 200 O’Connor Drive, San Jose, at 11:00 AM.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to the California Association of Natural Family Planning. (See link below)