Terri Lynn Cate

Hillsboro resident, Terri Lynn Cate, 67 passed away, Thursday, June 29, 2023 at Kaiser Westside in Hillsboro, OR.

Terri was born March 2, 1956 to William Dalton & Mary Lou (Brown) Peters in Oakridge, OR. She had lived in San Francisco, CA and had worked for Pacific Bell Telephone Company until 1987. Terri became disabled as a paraplegic shortly after the birth of her twins, Chris & Allie, at the age of 31 while living in San Francisco. She later moved to Cottage Grove, Oregon. Despite her disability she went on to raise Christopher and Allie and a third child, Brian. After the death of her parents in 1995, Terri moved to Hillsboro, Oregon in 1996 to be nearer to her sister, Vicki, where she continued to raise her three children and lead a successful and happy life. Not only did she raise her own three children, but she also cared for her niece Malea and nephew Andrew on a regular basis. All of this while dealing with her own significant disability.

Terri furthered her education receiving a Bachelor of Science at the University of Oregon. She began substitute teaching for the Hillsboro and Beaverton School Districts in 1996, a career that she loved and cherished and continued until 2015. Terri was an avid reader, quilter and loved to go to Bingo with her sisters. She had many friends who she loved to spend time with. Terri was blessed with two granddaughters, Zoey and Diana whom she loved dearly.

“Terri was a rare gem who touched everyone who knew her. Always kind, generous and loving towards others. Her children and family were her biggest inspiration, and nothing made her happier than to spend time with her family, children and grandchildren. Terri will be missed as a very special mother, grandmother, sister, aunt and friend,” wrote the family.

Terri was preceded in death by her parents; brothers, David and John Peters; and sister, Mari Peters. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Alexandra Elizabeth Lee Kennedy & Matthew Kennedy of Tacoma, WA; son, Christopher Wayne Lee of US Air Force, stationed in Korea; son and daughter-in-law, William Brian & Jordan Putnam of Tampa, FL; granddaughters, Zoey and Diana Lee; sister and brother-in-law, Vicki and David Miglioretto of Hillsboro, OR; sister, Tammi Peters of Granite Falls, WA; lifelong friend, Calvin Lee of San Francisco, CA; and many nieces, nephews, great nieces, great nephews as well as many, many friends.

Memorial contributions may be made in Terri’s memory to the Bonnie L. Hays Animal Shelter, 1901 SE 24th Ave., Hillsboro, OR 97123.

A celebration of Terri’s life will be held 1:30 p.m. Friday, September 15, 2023 at Fir Lawn Memorial Park & Funeral Home, 1070 West Main Street, Hillsboro, OR 97123.