Teresa Colunga's Obituary
In Loving Memory of Teresa “Terri” Colunga
August 31, 1961 – June 13, 2025
With heavy hearts, we share the passing of Teresa Colunga- a beloved mother, grandmother, sister, aunt, cousin, and friend- who left us peacefully on June 13, 2025, at her place of residence in Riverside, California. She was 63 years old.
Terri was born on August 31, 1961, in San Bernardino. Terri was the adored baby of 4 children and was raised amidst the warmth and closeness of large extended families on both sides of her parents. From a young age, Terri developed and nurtured loyal friendships that endured throughout her life. As a mother, Terri was a source of unwavering strength, guiding her children through life’s hardest challenges and celebrating their proudest moments. But Terri found her greatest joy and thrived in being a grandmother—cherishing every milestone and moment she spent with and cared for her grandchildren.
Terri brought love, laughter, and creativity to all who knew her. While she devoted most of her life to being a homemaker, she also spent time as a beautician/hairdresser and worked in retail to provide for her family. She expressed her love and appreciation through cooking from scratch for her family. She poured her heart into handcrafting jewelry, dreamcatchers, crocheted blankets, and crystal wind chimes she lovingly made for others. These treasured and thoughtful gifts remain part of the legacy she leaves behind. Terri had a special affection for butterflies—drawn to their beauty and symbolism. Her presence was honest, supportive, unfiltered, and always infused with humor. Though she is no longer physically with us, Terri’s spirit lives on in every gentle breeze, each fluttering wing, and every cherished memory we hold in our hearts.
Terri is survived by her children, Charles Colunga and Jennifer Gaytan; her grandchildren Mark Gutierrez, Philip Colunga, Nicholas Colunga, Emery Gaytan, and Maeve Gaytan; and her siblings Virginia Colunga and Thomas Colunga. Terri was preceded in death by her son Philip Miller, her parents Tony and Jennie Colunga, and her brother David Colunga.
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