Teresa Ann Arey

Teresa Ann Arey (Scalf) returned home on October 16, 2025, surrounded by family, friends, and a team of steadfast caregivers at Jefferson Healthcare.

She was born to Albert and Eleanor Scalf on July 16, 1949, followed four minutes later by her twin– Albert, and welcomed by older siblings Jon, Kristi, and Sharon. Born in Bremerton, at different times she called Manchester, Port Orchard, Issaquah, Shine, Chimacum, Beaver Valley, Center, and Port Townsend home.

She lived a vibrant life with her family, friends, and neighbors. Her early years were full of horseback riding, beach combing, and playing in the woods as the second generation of brush pickers. She was an active member of 4H and the Rainbow Girls, which were formative in the development of her leadership style. She graduated from Chimacum High School in 1967. She was blessed by her beloved daughters, Tina, born in 1968, and Laura, born in 1970.

Over the years she enjoyed her work at Gert and Mac’s (Center Store), Reed’s Store (now QFC), as well as driving school bus for Chimacum Schools. Further on in her career, her excellent office and interpersonal skills, as well as her compassion and caring for others, fuelled her agility in the range of roles she fulfilled in twenty years at Jefferson Transit. Her childhood connection to the woodlands sustained as she assisted the family business in seasons of picking salal, huckleberry, fir cones, and mosses. In the holiday season the family picked tons of pine and Noble Fir boughs.

She married her best fishing partner ever, Bill Arey, on October 9, 1986. Their shared interests in hunting deer and elk, salmon fishing, and following a variety of sports, gave them a deep partnership, lasting 39 years. On three occasions she caught salmon weighing over 50 lbs. Her tenacity in landing these fish is mirrored in her life mottos- ‘go, go, go’, and ‘don’t forget to breathe’.

In later years, she took joy and comfort in gardening, seaglass collecting, and above all in her bond with her children, step-children, as well as grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

She is survived by her husband William “Bill” Arey, daughters Tina Aman and Laura Lammers (George Rice), grandchildren Cole Altemose (Haley), Jordyn Wills (Ryan), and Daltry Lammers, step-children Tami Postma (Dean), Scott Arey (Remick), Karen Oostra (Kent), 8 more grandchildren, 9 great-grandchildren and many nieces and nephews. Her surviving siblings are Kristi Bruhahn and Al “Spud” Scalf (Cheri).

Teresa’s warmth, enthusiasm, and kindness will be remembered with gratitude by all who shared their lives with her. “...the older I get, the more thankful I feel, for the life I've had, and all the life I'm living still.” - Alan Jackson

The family will be hosting a Celebration of Life for Teresa on November 1st at the Elks Lodge in Port Townsend from 1-4pm. Folks are invited to bring a potluck dish, and a story to share about your time with Teresa.