Barbara Marie Terranova

It is with deep sorrow and much adoration that we mourn the passing of Barbara Marie Terranova, of Redmond, WA on Monday, August 9, at the age of 91 years. Although her departure was expedited by a recent cancer diagnosis, she passed away in the comfort of her residence.

Beautiful Barbara’s story can best be told by her many admirable traits and the things most precious to her – her dearly beloved husband, family and friends, and her love of nature and music. Foremost in her heart were over a hundred poems and letters composed by her adoring husband, Thomas Terranova. Her selflessness and devotion kept their rare bond secure throughout nearly 66 years of marriage and was evident to all. Barbara and Tom were inseparable since meeting on a blind date playing tennis in Los Angeles and found countless additional activities they enjoyed together, including hiking, biking and playing musical instruments. Each of these led to extended social communities for whom she delighted with her exceptional cooking and baking.

In her particularly gracious manner, she made everyone around her feel appreciated and loved, most especially her three daughters. Although losing her own mother at age 11, she innately knew how to care for, guide, praise, encourage, support, empathize, inspire and please each of them while cultivating their unique gifts. Barbara most enjoyed and referenced five stumps around a campfire as her favorite spot to visualize, signifying her love of family and the nature they experienced together over many summers while backpacking in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. Her reassuring words of, “Just put one foot in front of the other” helped motivate her young children to climb Mt. Whitney and Mt. Shasta, circle Mt. Rainier and frequent the bottom of the Grand Canyon. Along with countless day hikes, serene, natural places were among her most cherished memories.

In addition to picturesque landscapes, Barbara wholeheartedly shared her love of music with her children and grandchildren, teaching each piano and fostering the rigor, confidence, and work habits musicianship brings. Over the course of 50 years, her hundreds of piano students of all ages benefitted from her enormous passion and patience. She shared her exceptional talent for accompaniment developed at The Juilliard School and her degree in Music from Immaculate Heart College with professional soloists, numerous students and several church choirs. Both Organist and Choir Director for three decades, one marveled at the sight of her conducting Our Lady of Lourdes Choir with one hand, playing the keyboard with the other while engaging the foot pedals. Tirelessly, she worked seven days a week, organizing and effortlessly managing seasonal piano recitals and peak Christmas and Easter music demands.

After moving from Los Angeles to Washington in 2000, she joined the St. Jude’s Choir where she sang and provided piano accompaniment for over twenty years. There she formed an “Angel Choir” which performed twice a year at retirement homes, often entertaining those much younger than she. Barbara continued to play through her final days for her fellow residents at Emerald Heights.

This writing highlights merely a handful of occurrences and accomplishments in Barbara’s life. Her many friends of all ages were attracted to her angelic, humble, and sweet nature. She modeled how to live a long, happy and healthy life, aging beautifully and gracefully.

Barbara is predeceased by her beloved German immigrant parents, Ottmar and Elsie Rauwolf, step mother, Frieda Rauwolf, half-sister, Mary Rauwolf and son-in-law, Marc Messina. She is survived by the loves of her life, husband Tom Terranova, daughters Mary Esther Terranova Bartelt, Regina Terranova Ecker, and Madonna Messina, her four grandchildren, Allegra, Daniella and Gabriella Messina and Ariel Bartelt, sons-in-law Cary Ecker and Bruce Bartelt, and extended family, Mary Filkins and Sharon Messina.

Although a devout Catholic, she wanted to “pass simply and unobtrusively,” and specified her request for no funeral/Mass or Celebration of Life. Instead, she asked to be remembered when walking a pretty trail or when sitting by a peaceful lake or stream. Barbara’s fondness for these simple things brought joy to her life; she was unequivocally a gift to ours.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations made in her name will be directed to the St. Jude Choir. https://www.osvhub.com/st-jude-catholic-church-1/funds