Terry Ann Bolstad was born in Portland, OR the first child of Marvin and Marian Bolstad, a shipping company executive and homemaker, respectively. She attended public schools graduating Lake Oswego High in 1974 before enrolling at the University of Oregon and becoming a lifelong fan of the Ducks. Terry was a member of the Alpha Chi Omega Sorority and developed lifelong friendships with many of her sisters. She received her BA degree in Geography and Urban Planning in 1978.

Her early career was at Portland Metro working on transportation planning and the inception of the light rail system. She met her future husband Doug Morrison of Salem, OR in 1985 and married in 1987 resulting in her move to Bellevue WA and the Tam O’Shanter Golf & Country Club neighborhood where she resided until her death. She worked in transportation planning at Snohomish County and the City of Bellevue before dedicating her energy to being a mom.

Kirk was born in 1992 and Terry’s aptitude for motherhood really shined. Terry and Doug decided that Terry’s priority in life was to raise their children. She and Kirk engaged with the Program for Early Parenthood Support and participated regularly in the neighborhood babysitting coop. Along came Kari Lynn in 1997 completing the family of four. Terry turned her energy into supporting our public schools through volunteering. She organized walkathons and auctions, was a room parent, raised money for the Bellevue Schools foundation, and was Interlake High Booster Club President supporting athletics and the music program. The maturity, diligence, kindness, and patriotism exhibited by Kirk and Kari Lynn are a testament to Terry instilling these values as a dedicated mother.

Terry was a lifelong tennis player and competitor. She played for her high school team and in Bellevue played for numerous USTA and City Cup teams out of Robinswood Tennis Center and Central Park Racquet Club. She was quite the competitor, reaching numerous Sectional Tournaments and coming within a few points to a Nationals berth (one of only a few times Terry got angry!). Her marriage even survived a season of mixed doubles with Doug and a trip to Sunriver 7.0 sectionals.

Terry was so fit and healthy her whole life it was a shock to learn during an annual physical in October 2020 that she had inoperable and incurable pancreatic cancer. For two and half years Terry put up a herculean battle against a disease that would normally advance rapidly even with treatment. She endured four different regimens and more than 40 doses of chemo and fought off the side effects with unbelievable strength and resolve.

In between chemo regimens she regained enough strength for weekend trips to Santa Barbara, Eugene (twice), Spokane, and two “bucket list” three-week trips along with attending many weddings. The first big trip was a road trip to St. George Utah which was the base for 10 days with friends, some golf, and visits to four national parks. She loved staying and dining in the historical Oasis at Death Valley and the Ahwahnee Grand Hotel at Yosemite. The second was a trip to Spain and Portugal for a few days in Madrid, a spiritual 6 day walk along the Camino de Santiago, and a tour through Portugal to the incredible scenery of the Algarve. Terry was so proud of her fight against a horrible disease and the opportunities to have some memorable times with friends and family.

Terry was predeceased by her mom and dad, and in addition to Doug, Kirk and Kari Lynn, is survived by her brothers Steve (Allison) and Phil (Pam), as well as her Aunt Carolyn (104 years old!) and Aunt Muriel, and numerous cousins from the Bolstad and Farina families. She will dearly miss the annual Bolstad Family Picnic.

At Terry’s request, her ashes will be cast upon Lake Merwin, her special place and the site of many fun and memorable times with family and friends, at the Bolstad Family Cabin since 1958. There will be a Celebration of Life at Lord Hill Farms in Snohomish, WA on Sunday April, 16th from 1- 4pm. Light refreshments will be served. Please RSVP at Terry’s EverLoved site under “events”. Opportunities for giving and remembrances are also available on the EverLoved site.

Thank you for your unconditional love & support! 

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