03/25/1955- 02/28/2016

Theresa passed away at her home Sunday morning, with family at her bedside, following a brief but hard fought battle with cancer. Theresa was born in Alameda California, the second child to Jan and Trevor Hill. Her brother Ron was born three years earlier. When Theresa was eight years old the family suffered a tragic loss when Trevor passed away following an accident. Jan later met and married Bob Rose. Theresa and Ron then gained three siblings, Cathy, Debbie and Greg. The family moved to Livermore CA. Where Bob worked at the Lawrence Livermore Laboratory. Theresa completed grade school and later graduated from Livermore High. She met Scott Benedict in Livermore and in the late seventies the two married and moved to San Juan Island WA. Upon arriving on the island she worked at Malloy’s Hardware in Friday Harbor and later as a cook at the Senior center when it was at the fairgrounds, a job she loved. The two bought a five-acre farm and Theresa loved raising goats, chickens, ducks and sheep. Her goat milk and goat cheese was very popular with quite a few people. During this time the couple had two children, Robert and Monica. She loved raising the children, and for a while ran a small daycare at the farm so there were more children around. Scott opened his own auto shop on the property and Theresa helped run it while gardening, farming and raising children. Theresa entered and took grand champion for family garden exhibit at the county fair many times, this when it was very a competitive category. She always entered vegetables and flowers and always took home many blue ribbons. The marriage ended in 1991, though Theresa and Scott both continued to raise the kids jointly and remain friends. She bought a place at the Oaks and started her own gardening and landscaping business “The Caring Gardener”. Theresa’s reputation for kindness and generosity with her time and energy earned her a place in the hearts of many, especially her neighbors at the Oaks. She was a master gardener, active in the gardening club and at her happiest working the soil. She also was active in the trails association and believed strongly in the efforts of the Land Bank and Preservation trust. Her connection with the earth, its beauty and preservation was very important in her life and was reflected in her actions. She always had at least one dog and always many cats, along with the birds she fed in her beautiful garden. She was loved and adored by many and will be sorely missed. Theresa is survived by her two children, Monica Latham (Chris), and Robert Benedict. Her Mother Janet Rose, her siblings Ron Hill, Cathy Taylor, Debi Gates and Greg Rose, many nieces and nephews. She is also survived by the prides and joys of her life, her Grandson Myles Latham, cat Klyde and dog Sam. A celebration of Theresa’s life will be held Sunday the 6th of March from 2:30 to 4:30 at The Brickworks, 150 Nichols St. Friday Harbor. This will be a potluck affair, so bring food and memories.