For nearly 25 years, Teresa Hammond told the stories of Oakdale. She wrote about its people, its schools, its celebrations and struggles, and especially the quiet heroes who might otherwise have gone unnoticed.
Teresa understood that every person had a story worth telling.
This is hers.
Teresa Jane White was born December 30, 1967, at St. Luke’s Hospital in San Francisco to Scheerie White. She arrived weighing nine-and-a-half pounds, with cheeks so full that her Uncle John promptly nicknamed her “Jaws.”
It fit the little girl who followed.
Teresa grew up in San Mateo and was, according to her mother, “a lot of work” in the very best way. She was talkative, precocious, funny as hell and absolutely fearless. If she thought something wasn’t right, she said so—a trait she carried with her throughout her life.
She grew up alongside her older cousins Rex, Richard and Randy, which required a certain amount of toughness. During one memorable game of cowboys and Indians, Teresa prepared to jump from the stairs just as the boys had done before her. Richard gave her a little assistance before she was ready. Teresa landed without her two front teeth and earned a middle-of-the-night trip to the dentist.
There were road trips, too. On one cross-country drive to Illinois, Teresa had the entire backseat to herself and managed to talk and entertain herself for most of the 26-hour trip. A stop in Reno where Teresa convinced her Aunt to let her play nickel slots when they stopped at a Safeway for refreshments resulted in a lucky win from a nickel slot machine and Teresa spent much of the remaining drive counting all $178 of her winnings, nickel by nickel.
She could make an adventure out of almost anything.
Christmas Eve meant pizza, stockings and family. Teresa’s childhood friend Mari Goodwin, who was Jewish, became part of the tradition as well, complete with a stocking waiting for her each year. It was one of many examples of something Teresa would do throughout her life: make room for people and make them feel as though they belonged.
Teresa attended Hillsdale High School in San Mateo and later studied fashion merchandising in San Francisco. She loved fashion and worked as a buyer for The Emporium. She loved San Francisco even more. No matter where life took her, Teresa remained a city girl at heart.
She loved La Jolla, San Diego and especially Treasure Island, where she would later live and treasure the view of the city she loved.
As a young woman, Teresa went out one evening with friends in Sacramento and came home with news for her mother.
“Mom, I met my dolphin,” she announced.
His name was Kelly Hammond, a sailor in the United States Navy.
Teresa was certain.
“I’m going to marry him,” she said. “You’ll meet him soon, and you’ll love him.”
A few days later, Kelly arrived.
Teresa was right.
But more than anything, Teresa wanted to be a mother. Becoming one did not come easily, which made the arrival of her children, Jackson and Maddy Hammond, all the more precious.
They became the center of her world.
Teresa was immensely proud of Jackson and Maddy. They gave her purpose, joy and a love deeper than anything else in her life. Of all the titles Teresa ever held, writer, runner, volunteer, friend; none mattered more to her than Mom. Her family also included Lady Mae and Charlotte, the two very loved and very spoiled puppies who held a special place in Teresa’s heart. They were her companions, her comfort and, without question, part of the family.
One of her most treasured memories was a trip to Hawaii with Maddy and Jackson during the final year of her life. She knew by then that time was precious, and Teresa had long believed that life was not meant to be postponed.
Her words were simple:
Today is someday.
After her children were born, Teresa became a runner. What began as a pursuit became a passion, carrying her through countless miles, races and marathons. She approached running the way she approached most things in life: once Teresa committed, she was all in.
The same passion Teresa had running and with her friendships defined her work.
For nearly a quarter century, Teresa was a reporter for the Oakdale Leader. She did far more than record events. Teresa told the story of a community she came to love with her whole heart.
She believed truth mattered, but she also understood that the people inside a story mattered. She had an uncommon ability to tell difficult truths while preserving a person’s dignity. She noticed people who did not seek attention. She celebrated accomplishments that might never make a front page. Through thousands of conversations and stories, Teresa documented the people who make Oakdale what it is.
Her work covering education formed a particularly deep connection with Oakdale's schools, students, teachers and families. She also gave generously of herself to the community, including years of leadership with Oakdale’s Relay For Life.
Teresa loved Oakdale fiercely.
For a woman who would always consider herself a Bay Area city girl, Oakdale became home.
She built friendships everywhere. Her circle was large, diverse and deeply important to her. Teresa was loyal, passionate and completely authentic. She could tell a great story, but perhaps more importantly, she could listen to one.
Some of the best nights with Teresa required nothing more than a couch, a conversation and hours spent talking about the happenings of the day.
She made people feel important.
She made them feel heard.
She made them feel valued.
And she laughed easily.
As a teenager, Teresa believed, somewhat enthusiastically, that she could sing. At one point she was fairly certain she was Madonna. Those who loved her wisely allowed her to maintain that belief.
In 2020, Teresa was diagnosed with triple-negative breast cancer.
For the next several years, cancer became part of Teresa’s story, but she refused to allow it to become the whole story.
She endured treatments, surgeries, setbacks, remissions and recurrences with an extraordinary combination of strength, faith, stubborn determination and grace. Teresa had a strong belief in God and an equally strong will. Even in the hardest moments, she continued to love, laugh, travel, write, mother, encourage and show up for the people she cared about.
She was, quite simply, a force of nature.
On the morning of August 8, 2026, Teresa died with her beloved son Jackson with her.
She was 58 years old.
She left far sooner than anyone who loved her was prepared to let her go.
Teresa is survived by the two people she loved most in this world, her children, Jackson and Maddy Hammond; their father, Kelly Hammond; her parents, Scheerie and Michael Rovai; step-brother Dino Rovai and his daughter Jessica; step-sister and brother-in-law Sharon and Michael Tsakiris and their children Athena, Alexis and Mikey; step-sister and brother-in-law Chrissy and Craig Whitcomb and their children, Hunter Whitcomb; Niki Van Tassel and her husband Luke Van Tassel; her aunt and uncle, Esther and Carlos Andrade; cousins Elizabeth Andrade, Richard Andrade and Suzanne Andrade; Eric and Alex Andrade; cousin Rex Labotte and his wife Erin; aunt Barb Davis and uncle John White; and her lifelong friend, Mari Goodwin.
She was preceded in death by friend Madelyn Hogan, for whom Teresa’s daughter Maddy was named and friend Jason Turnage; both were taken from this world too soon.
A public memorial service celebrating Teresa’s life will be held Wednesday, Sept. 9, 2026, at 11 a.m. at Shelter Cove Community Church, 4242 Coffee Road, Modesto.
And because Teresa would never have wanted everyone to simply go home afterward, the celebration will continue.
True to her wishes—and very much in keeping with her spirit—an Irish Wake inspired celebration will immediately follow at the Bianchi Community Center, 110 S. Second Ave., in Oakdale. Come prepared to share a story, raise a glass, laugh loudly, and remember well. Come celebrate a woman who lived wholeheartedly.
In lieu of flowers, those wishing to honor Teresa may make a contribution to help support Jackson and Maddy Hammond. This was Teresa’s greatest wish, to help and support her children during what she knew would be a difficult time for them. Any cards or contributions can be sent to The Oakdale Leader C/O Jackson Hammond, 603 W. F St., Oakdale, CA 95361. Memorial donations may also be made in Teresa’s name to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, www.stjude.com or Bethell Hospice, bethellhospice.org
If you never had the privilege of knowing Teresa, know this:
She had an enormous heart.
She loved her family fiercely. She loved her friends loyally. She loved God faithfully. She loved San Francisco because it was part of who she was, and she loved Oakdale because it became part of who she was.
She believed people mattered.
She believed their stories mattered.
And she believed life was happening right now.
For years, Teresa Hammond told other people’s stories.
Those fortunate enough to have known her will spend the rest of their lives telling hers.
Today is someday.
The Oakdale (Calif.) Leader
The Riverbank (Calif.) News
Aug. 19, 2026
