I am so very sorry for your loss.  Annie, Vincent and I spent many summers in Gila Bend together.  We were the original "cousin crew".  Hours and hours of  canasta, dominoes, coloring contests, adventures in the dessert, swimming at the pool, listening to grandaddy's stories! I don't know what I would have done without them in my childhood!   Annie was always so cheerful! I will never forget her infectious laugh.  

Love,

Christina

Teresa and I spent hours and hours talking about how I should manage my staff at Fairfield.  Her advice was always spot on.  She guided me toward assembling the most intelligent, creative and happy people of any company in our field.  She was visionary with her technological transformations of the HR function.

But perhaps most important she lived life so much fuller than I ever could.  And she was generous with sharing the fine things of New York.  I will always be thankful for her inviting Deborah, me, Claudio and my nephew Bryan to dinner at Rouge Tomate.  Bryan was an aspiring chef from Las Vegas, and he thoroughly appreciated each course!  Also, the members only dining room at the NY Met overlooking Central Park with my team on a NY visit.

So yes, Teresa was so important to me on both a professional and personal level ... She made my life better.

I didn’t know Teresa as “Tree”, or “Annie”. I called her Hooker.

I met Hooker in 1984 while attending Arizona State University. She had a harem of beautiful gay boys, and I was lucky enough to join her group. We used to party all night long and eventually end up at her house for more dancing, eating, and partying. Her house was a refuge for most of us back then because we could live authentically as gay men.

I left Arizona in 1985 because I took my freedom a little too far. My grades were suffering, and it was not a path I wanted to be on.

Although we did not talk often, I remained friends with Hooker for almost 40 years. I may not have spoken to her for months, but when we connected, it was like we just spoke yesterday. She was truly one of my best friends. It’s also ironic that we both ended up in high level Human Resource positions given how unprofessional we were. I guess you have to be a little crazy to be successful in HR.

We often joked that if one of us died before the other, we had plenty of shit we could share about the other at our funerals. She knew of one story I would for sure share at hers and would die laughing knowing I probably would. Fortunately for her, I won’t tell that story.

Besides seeing Hooker last week at Scripps hospital in La Jolla, the day before she went to the disco in the sky, I had not seen her since my 60th birthday party. Although already suffering with stage 4 breast cancer (unbeknownst to me), she made all my favorite dishes and brought them out.

When I told one of the gays in Hooker’s harem from back in the day that she had passed, he said “Besides spending many nights at Teresa's house in Tempe, I recall many times she would "pick up" entire bar tabs for friends and total strangers. She would barely bat an eye as she told the bar tender just put it all on my tab.” That’s who she was.

I will miss you my wonderful friend. My life will never be the same without you in it.

My deepest condolences go out to Annie’s family. We were grade school and high school besties. She got me my first job at Ponchos restaurant. She was one of the most intelligent women I knew. Her giggle though is one I will never forget. 😊 As time and life happens though, we lost contact. I thought of her often. I’m so sorry I didn’t get to speak to her before she left us. Wherever she is now, she knows how much I loved her as my friend. Annie, rest in paradise with your parents my beautiful friend. Genia Garcia Gutierrez

Very sorry to hear this news. Was a classmate in cooking school, she had a great passion for food. God Bless.

Jerry Arcieri

It is with the heaviest heart that I write about my dear friend Teresa, who has been a cherished part of my life for over 20 years. Teresa wasn't just a mentor to me; she was one of my very best friends. Her loss is deeply heartbreaking, and words cannot fully express the void her passing will leave my life.

Teresa's infectious giggle was a joy. It was the kind of laugh that could light up a room and bring a smile to anyone's face. Her generosity knew no bounds, both in her spirit and in her actions. She had a way of making everyone feel welcome, whether it was through her incredible culinary skills or her warm, inviting attitude.

I will always hold dearthe many fabulous meals we shared. From cooking together in our kitchens to exploring the best restaurants, Teresa and I created countless memories over delicious food. My quest to find the perfect ramen will not be the same without Teresa's enthusiasm and a sense of adventure.

Teresa, you have left an indelible mark on my heart. I will forever treasure our moments together, the laughter we shared, and the kindness you always showed. Rest in peace, my dear friend. You will be deeply missed but never forgotten.