Teresa Lynn Pappas

Teresa Lynn “Mouse” Pappas, cherished wife, mother, Yia Yia, keeper of spices, and forever beachcomber, passed away to a better place on August 26, 2021.

She was born Teresa Lynn Pili in Santa Maria, CA, the third of nine children to Rudy and Doris Pili. After graduating from Ernest Righetti High School, she moved to Honolulu, HI, where she met the love of her life, John, during his time in the Navy.

With their son, Charles, they moved to California in 1974, where Teri pursued a degree in Early Childhood Development. Children adored Teri. In a room full of adults, little ones would always be drawn to her sweet smile and gentle voice. She made everyone feel safe.

In 1977, they moved to Salt Lake City, where Teri blessed John with two more sons, Anthony and Nicholas. She taught all her children to dream big and cultivated their imaginations. Charles created whole worlds through his love of role-playing games and learned to weld armor. Anthony amazed everyone with his art, from comic books to sculptures to creations for kids at the Make-A-Wish foundation. Nicholas made his living as a comedy writer and taught classes on how to write humor. She was so proud of all of them.

Teri’s sons blessed her with grandchildren who she loved with her whole heart. Charles and Amber gave her Lance, Melia, Tina, and James. Anthony and his wife Bridget gave her Jack. Nicholas and his wife Ana gave her Elena. Teri would do anything for them.

Teri had an aura of warmth. No matter who you were, if she was in the room, you felt loved. She comforted those who everyone else had given up on. She knew life was complicated, and every soul deserves forgiveness. Teri found the good in everyone.

She was incredibly, innately artistic and gave all of herself. When the pandemic hit, she sewed hundreds of masks a week and donated them. When she baked, she baked for a small army and made extra plates for John to bring to anyone he ran into. She made immaculate costumes for her children every Halloween and could crochet a perfect winter hat in less than an hour. She used all her talents to make the lives of those around her better. 

For John, Teri was his whole world. She believed in him when no one else would and stood by his side through good times and bad. Many of her best memories were traveling with her soulmate, taking walks on the beach, and laughing together. Our family was always filled with so much laughter.   

We are heartbroken, but we carry her with us in everything we do. We are grateful for the lessons she’s taught us and the stories she’s told, and we will continue to tell her stories to our children and grandchildren in the future.

She will never be forgotten.

A Celebration of Teresa's life will be on Thursday, September 9, 2021 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm at Starks Funeral Parlor located at 3651 South 900 East Salt Lake City, Utah 84106. Guests are encouraged to use the parking on the north side of the building.