Theresa Marie Brice

1963 - 2023

Theresa Marie Brice passed away on Saturday, July 22, 2023, at Fairbanks Memorial Hospital, surrounded by her family. She fought a valiant one-year battle against metastasized cancer, and then, on her own terms, with strength and grace, she left for her heavenly home.

Theresa was welcomed to the world on April 4, 1963, in Salem, Oregon. She was the first child of Lois Ann and Thomas Lackey. Generous and insightful, Theresa was the kind of older sister you wanted to have. She blazed the trail to new experiences ahead of her siblings, Molly, Susie, Will and Sally; giving them confidence and support at each transition from Queen of Peace, Victor Point, Regis High School, and Oregon State University.

Usually running late and the last to get ready, Theresa was always the first one off the line behind the wheel of her '72 Mustang. Farm life in Sublimity, family gatherings, trips to the ocean, and working on grass seed farms filled her younger years.

In a twist of fate, Theresa met Sam Brice when they were both students at Oregon State University while working towards her degree in pharmacy. She and Sam were married on Nov. 29, 1986, in Sublimity, Oregon. The highlight of this event included a rousing and memorable barn dance at the Lackey family farm.

What began as a five-year plan expanded to 37 years of living and loving in Fairbanks, Alaska. Those early days of marriage were filled with adventures, but nothing compared to the arrival of Julia and William. With their family complete, they spent the next chapter finding joy in every day. This included going up the Salcha River and down the Oregon Coast, exploring McCarthy, and visiting all the national parks possible on a memorable RV trip.

Following a 25-year career as a pharmacist in Fairbanks. Theresa jumped at the chance to do the things that were important to her and to do them alongside the people who meant the most. She valued her time volunteering at the Catholic Schools, traveling alongside her husband Sam, and hosting family and friends at Harding Lake and Newport, Oregon.

Whether she was dealing cards, completing puzzles, or tossing bags at corn-hole, Theresa was competitive and playful. An avid sports fan, she loved football, baseball and hockey at all level. Most especially, she could be found cheering on her OSU Beaver's. Making a meal or mixing a gin and tonic, welcoming to all, she was often overheard saying, "There is always plenty." Some of the highlights from Theresa's last few years included getting behind the wheel at the Ford Performance Racing School, rocking out at Def Leppard and Eric Church concerts, and going for daily walks on beautiful trails in the company of good friends and her beloved Sam. In all things, Theresa was spirited, classy, and ready to roll.

Hospitality, faith, fun, family, friends, and dogs were the foundations of Theresa's life. Paddle boards, pontoon boats, fast cars, fishing, crabbing, agate hunting, weekly conversation and fellowship with the "graceful group" book club, and gardening filled up her vibrant soul.

Theresa blessed the lives of many and we are so grateful for the time we had with her, just wishing it could have been longer. Theresa is survived by the deep loves of her life: husband Sam, children Julia and William; mother Lois Ann Lackey; siblings, Molly (Marty) Belshe, Susie (Joel) Magenheimer, Will Lackey, Sally (Alex) Cheyne; father-in-law Al Brice; sister-in-laws Jennifer Brice, Hannah (Don) Smith, Rebecca (Todd) Henderson; a large, wonderful gathering of nieces, nephews, and Godchildren; beloved dog Olive, and countless close friends.

Theresa was preceded in death by other special people in her life: her father Tom Lackey, her mother-in-law, Carol Brice, and her brother-in-law, Ben Brice.

In Ecclesiastes 3 we are told, "To everything, there is a season, A time for every purpose under heaven: a time to mourn, and a time to dance." Theresa would be OK with us mourning for a season. But then, she would want us to dance with abandon, enjoying all life has to offer. We invite friends and family to join us to remember and celebrate Theresa's life well lived on Thursday, Aug. 31, 2023, at Pikes Waterfront Lodge in the Binkley Room. The event will begin 4:30 p.m. with a short program at 5:30 p.m. Honoring Theresa's wishes for music and dancing, stick around for the "after party" including live music.

A memorial mass and Rosary will be held in Sublimity, Oregon, at St. Boniface Catholic Church at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, Oct. 27, with fellowship and music to follow at Santiam Golf Course.

For those wishing to honor Theresa's memory, consider a donation to the following organization that she loved. Healing through Music and Dance, www.bcsfoundation.org/healing-through-music-and-dance.