Theresa "Terri" Lavelle
July 22, 1947-May 3, 2023
Menlo Park, California
Submitted by Sue Hejhal

Theresa "Terri" Lavelle, age 75, lost her battle with brain cancer on

May 3rd, 2023 in San Antonio, Texas. Born on July 22nd, 1947, in Boyne City, Michigan, Terri was the daughter of Beulah Mae Long and John Hejhal. She spent her childhood at the family farm and around Boyne City, East Jordan, and the Lake Charlevoix area.

Terri graduated from Boyne City High School in 1964. After high school, she went on to Eastern Michigan University, where, in 1970, she completed a bachelor's degree in English and Education. After graduation, Terri completed post-graduate studies in Publishing at Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, New York. She later attended Kennedy University, in Pleasant Hill, California, where she studied English and Creative Writing.

In 1978, Terri moved to the San Francisco Bay area where she worked in Publishing at Sunset Magazine. She then spent several years at the William Sonoma Company, first working as a computer programmer and later as a project manager. Most recently she worked in the accounting department for the Sunnyvale office of Elekta Medical Systems. Terri enjoyed a close working relationship with her colleagues at Elekta and spoke fondly of the many dinners and celebrations they shared.

Terri was a fun-loving person, who was fond of literature. Whenever she could, she traveled to Michigan for the annual Hemmingway Festival. Terri enjoyed Hollywood movies. She went to the theater whenever she could and the highlight of her year was the Oscar Night party she hosted annually.

Terri was a long-time supporter of women’s causes. After working in public mental health, she served for several years as the co-coordinator of the Flint, Michigan chapter of the National Organization for Women. She supported other women’s causes throughout her life. One of her proudest moments was when Kamala Harris was elected Vice President of the United States.

Terri is survived by her brother John Hejhal and his wife Margaret, her nieces, Judy Norris, and her husband Dan Norris, Sue Hejhal and her husband, John Rodrigue, and Robyn Hejhal, also, her great nieces Molly and Hannah Norris and Lily Hejhal and her great nephew, Tyler Rodrigue-Hejhal, also her cousin, Kathryn Owens, and her daughters, Denise Bryant and her husband, John and her daughter Jamie Barber and her husband, Steve.

Many others will fondly remember her including her colleagues at Elekta, her best friend, Deborah Daughtry, Tony Swain, her longtime friend Mike Smith, and the friends, who attended her annual Oscar Party including Brady and Anita Piercey, and their family, Carl Barry, Lori Spurgeon, Desiree and Drew Johnson and their family and Danielle and Curtis Seeger.

Terri will always be remembered for her fun-loving personality and unwavering commitment to her family and friends. She will be deeply missed by all who knew her.

Tags: business