Obituary of Theresa Lynn O'Heron

Theresa Lynn O'Heron (Capps) was born on June 5, 1958, in Renton, Washington. The hospital where she was born was later demolished to make way for a K-Mart, leading her father to jokingly refer to her throughout her life as his “Blue Light Special.” She passed away on May 14, 2026, following complications from a fall. Theresa’s mother passed away when she was just two years old, and her father remarried when she was five. Because her father’s work required the family to move frequently, Theresa attended ten different schools between the fourth and tenth grades. Constantly being the “new kid,” learning to fit in, and making new friends every few months was not always easy, but those experiences helped shape her deep appreciation for stability, home, and lasting friendships later in life. As the oldest child in a busy working household, Theresa was assigned many responsibilities early in life, helping care for her younger brother and managing household duties while still growing up herself. Those experiences helped shape her resilience, independence, and deep appreciation for creating a warm, stable home filled with comfort, loyalty, and love. Theresa often joked that her interest in cooking may have begun as a form of self-defense. Her mother had little interest in cooking, and the family meatloaf was notoriously... awful. During those dinners, Theresa’s father would quietly look over at her, say nothing at all, and silently pass the ketchup. Years later, Theresa took special pride in perfecting her own meatloaf recipe — one so good that no ketchup was required. After years of constantly changing schools, Theresa finally had the opportunity during her senior year of high school to participate in extracurricular activities, something she greatly enjoyed. She played volleyball, where she became known for her wicked serve, and also joined the drama department, reflecting both her competitive spirit and creative side. Theresa met the love of her life, Michael O'Heron, at Washington State University in 1976. Their relationship grew into a lifelong partnership, and they were married on July 12, 1980. Theresa graduated from Washington State University in 1980 with a degree in Communications after earning recognition and copywriting awards while working as an advertising intern. Following graduation, Theresa and Michael moved to Phoenix, Arizona, where she worked in the in-house advertising and promotions department for the Phoenix daily newspaper. In 1984, they moved to the Corvallis and Albany area of Oregon. Theresa worked for an advertising agency before building a career as a trusted office manager in several businesses, including a software development company, a plumbing showroom, and an orthodontic office. In 1994, Theresa and Michael moved to Brush Prairie, Washington, where they made their home for the rest of her life. Over the years, Theresa also worked for a homebuilder and an accounting company, bringing dedication, reliability, and warmth everywhere she worked. Theresa also volunteered for several years as an aide in a local second-grade classroom, something she greatly enjoyed. Theresa and Mike shared a love of travel and experiences together throughout their marriage. In addition to treasured trips to British Columbia, Germany, Ireland, and Italy, they also traveled to Hawaii, Glacier National Park, Savannah, and along the Georgia and Carolina coasts. Theresa especially loved Disneyland and, somewhat surprisingly to those who knew her well, rollercoasters. She and Mike made two especially memorable trips to Williamsburg, Virginia, where they combined sightseeing, Colonial history, and yes — more rollercoasters — along with attending the beautiful Christmas Illumination celebration. During one visit to nearby Jamestown, Theresa fell completely in love with a life-sized white goose sculpture. Determined not to leave it behind, she proudly carried it onto the airplane herself, forever becoming “the lady with the duck” to amused fellow travelers. The following Christmas, Mike secretly tracked down the artist and surprised Theresa with the sculpture’s matching mate. Together, the pair became beloved fixtures in their living room and a reflection of Theresa’s unique eye for beauty, color, and decorating. Theresa had a remarkable talent for creating warmth and comfort in a home. Much of the mood, style, and welcoming spirit of their house reflected her creativity and instincts, something Mike happily — and wisely — learned to trust over the years. While living in Oregon, Theresa developed a love of cooking, inspired in part by countless Food Network programs that she and Mike enjoyed watching together. It became one of the special interests they shared, much to their mutual culinary benefit. Over the years, she perfected many dishes, but her meatloaf,"Sunday" red sauce, pesto and chicken picatta became especially legendary among those lucky enough to enjoy them. On her own time, Theresa enjoyed relaxing with her favorite mystery and “alphabet” police (NCIS, SWAT, FBI, Law and Order, etc., etc.) television shows. She was also a voracious reader. Her Kindle account, spanning more than twelve years, showed that she had read nearly 3,900 books — a reflection of both her curiosity and her lifelong love of stories. Theresa had a special love for animals, especially her dogs. She lovingly cared for Cindy, Schatzi, and Lily, who passed before her, and she leaves behind her beloved companions JackO, Jackson, and Mimi. She was also deeply creative and talented. While she was still able, Theresa spent countless hours making beautiful quilts, table runners, and cloth baskets. Her handmade creations reflected the patience, care, and love she gave so freely to others. Family and friends who received her work knew they were receiving something truly made from the heart. Theresa loved her friends and treasured the time she spent with them. She had a sparkle in her eyes that people naturally gravitated toward, along with a warmth and sense of humor all her own. Over the years, she became very skilled at managing her husband Mike’s sense of humor. When he approached the imaginary “limit,” she would begin with a measured “Michael D,” which, if ignored, would escalate to “Michael David!!” He knew the line had truly been crossed when he heard the full “Michael David O'Heron!?!” — though that rarely slowed him down for long. Theresa had a strong will and a wonderfully stubborn streak that those who loved her came to know well. It was part of the spark that made her unmistakably herself. Theresa will be remembered for her kindness, creativity, intelligence, loyalty, and quiet strength. She brought warmth and comfort to the people and animals she loved and leaves behind many treasured memories. She will be deeply missed and lovingly remembered always.