Obituary of Lee Anna Teed

Lee Anna Teed, 72, a longtime resident of Walnut Creek passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family on Friday, October 3, 2014 after a courageous and determined fight against cancer. Lee Anna was born September 18, 1942 in Kansas City, Kansas to Carl and Sara Williamson. She was a lifelong friend to her younger sister and only sibling Kathy Willoughby of Woodland Park, Colorado, an extraordinary mother to her two children, Karina Rusk of Monterey, California and Erich Rusk of Chico, California and a doting grandmother to her grandchild, Athena Rusk of Chico. Lee Anna attended College of Emporia, Emporia, Kansas and Emporia State University. She had an accomplished career in the telecommunications industry which she retired from twice - once in 1997 from Pacific Bell only to be lured back and retire again as a project manager for AT&T. Her people and analytic skills served the customers and employees of AT&T, Pacific Bell, Working Assets and SBC. Her professional talents were recognized with many achievement awards and certificants of appreicaiton. At age 20, Lee Anna moved from Kansas to California and enjoyed living in Northern California her entire adult life, including San Francisco, Santa Rosa, Ukiah, Chico and Napa before settling in Walnut Creek more than twenty years ago. Many people admired Lee Anna's striking blue eyes, grace and strength. She was smart, funny, creative and above all, engaged. Engaged in politics, environmental issues, volunteerism, her community, her friends and always with her children's lives. An avid reader, Lee Anna had been a weekly volunteer at the Walnut Creek Library since it opened as well as a weekly volunteer at the Friends Corner Book Shop. She enjoyed going to the theater, eating out and traveling around the world including vacations to Alaska, New Zealand, Mexico, Hawaii and Europe. Until her illness, Lee Anna participated in numerous physical activities including hiking, yoga and working out at the gym. She was an active member and campaigner for the Democratic Party. She continueiously expressed her creatively, whether it be writing, ceramics or as a gifted quilter. LeeAnna's depth of character and loving spirit will always have a place in the hearts of those who knew and loved her. She is survived by her daughter Karina (Dennis Palma), son Erich (Patty Rusk), sister Kathy (Lee Willoughby), granddaughter Athena, nephew Patrick Tepesch (Kate Tepesch) , Corning, NY, grand nieces Claire and Erin Tepesch, Corning, NY, nephew Brad Willoughby, Kansas City, MO, niece Amanda Willoughby, Berkeley, CA and an abundance of close family and treasured friends. A Celebration of Life Memorial will be held at Scott's Restaurant Garden in Walnut Creek, October 26 at 1pm. In lieu of flowers, donations in Lee Anna's honor can be sent to Walnut Creek Library Foundation, PO Box 4979, Walnut Creek, CA 94596.