Theresa Danforth, the giver's giver

This is the story of a dearly loved person that we recently lost. A story about Theresa Danforth, someone who spent so much of her life taking care of others. She was the de facto matriarch of the Danforth family, caring for her extended family whenever her time and caring help was needed.

Theresa suffered a medical emergency at home on a Saturday and left us the following Wednesday. She is gone, leaving behind loved ones who still need her help, and therefore they need our help. Theresa adopted two kids when she saw the need to support them and protect them from unfortunate circumstances. She raised them, loved them, protected them, and when grandkids arrived Theresa helped to care for them too. Theresa herself was adopted. Her loving adopted parents instilled within her a hard work ethic, as well as an extraordinary amount of patience and selfless caring for others.

Theresa honed her work ethic and developed her seemingly endless amount of patience by working as the cook for a fraternity at Washington State University. WSU is also where she found life-long friendships, a whole new family to embrace.

25 years ago, she found the time to meet her husband, Michael, and they built their extraordinary, uniquely joy-filled love story together.

In recent years, Theresa made a tough choice and quit her fast-paced, high travel job, choosing instead to help with her grandkids. When life happened and there was a need to pay legal bills, Theresa stepped up and paid them. When life happened and there was a need to pay medical bills, Theresa stepped up and paid them. This was a huge sacrifice because now she and Michael are strapped for cash. Had she not passed away suddenly, she would have made use of her vast network of friends and business contacts and gone back to work to fix these financial issues and provide support for her family.

So, now it’s our turn to do what she was perpetually doing; help someone else. Unfortunately, she had no will, so Theresa’s estate is going to be tied up in probate. There’s an immediate need for support. Money for food, electricity, water, the mortgage, probate and legal fees, Theresa’s memorial, everything.

The need is great, and urgent. Any donation you make is appreciated and every donation, big or small, will go directly towards easing these stressful days, but I ask you to dig deep because Theresa did.

Even if you cannot donate now, please keep Theresa’s family in your thoughts and prayers. Please share this far and wide so that we can reach everyone’s hearts in this time of need.

The overwhelming emotional support from friends, family, and the community has already brought the family to tears and they offer everyone their deepest gratitude. Thank you for coming together for them in this time of need.