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Theresa Parella, a lifelong resident of El Cerrito and dedicated educator, passed away on Monday, September 28, 2026. Born in December 1916 to Rosa and Giacamo Parella, Theresa was raised in El Cerrito alongside her siblings. She continued to live in the same home where she was born and raised, maintaining a remarkable connection toContinue Reading
Born in December 1916 to Rosa and Giacamo Parella, Theresa was raised in El Cerrito alongside her siblings. She continued to live in the same home where she was born and raised, maintaining a remarkable connection to her family’s roots throughout her life.
Theresa devoted 38 years to teaching, beginning in a one-room schoolhouse near Tomales Bay before spending 35 years at Fairmont Elementary School in El Cerrito. The school’s library was named in her honor, recognizing her enduring contributions to its students and community. She maintained connections with many former students long after her retirement in 1977.
In retirement, Theresa discovered a passion for porcelain painting, sharing her artistry through donations to scholarship fundraising efforts. In 2017, she was inducted into the El Cerrito Wall of Fame in recognition of her contributions to her hometown.
Theresa cherished her family and the relationships that filled her life with love. She is survived by her beloved sister, Rose Ann Kase, many loving nieces and nephews, and dear friends and extended family who will deeply miss her.
Her philosophy was simple: “Keep busy and keep the faith.” Her legacy lives on through the students she taught, the community she supported, and the family and friends who loved her.
Services will be held at St. John the Baptist Church in El Cerrito on Friday, October 16th, with a rosary at 9:30 a.m. and a funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m., followed by a reception.
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