Teri Lynn Ackley, 44, of Los Angeles, died Jan. 26, 2006 at Torrance Memorial Medical Center, Torrance, Calif., surrounded by her family, in the arms of her sister Kim and longtime friend Tanya and very dear minister, Charlie Rice.

Teri was born Oct. 5, 1961 in Seattle. She lived most of her young life in Vancouver, Wash., where she graduated from Hudson’s Bay High School in 1979, then attended Clark College.

Teri loved the outdoors and nature, camping, skiing, boating, and all water sports. She was a sports nut, played softball, was a SW Washington champion many times over, renowned for her fast pitch. Teri loved her family, friends and all animals passionately. She was loved by all who knew her and will be greatly missed.

Teri worked for Western/Delta Airlines for 15 years, based in Los Angeles. She traveled the world, loved to travel and chased the sunshine. Teri is survived by her dad and step-mother, Bud and Brenda Ackley of Oak Harbor; sister, Kim Ackley of Vancouver; brother, Dan Ackley and wife Patty of Vancouver; step-brother Derek Neth and wife Kim of Lake Stevens; step-sister Dawn Bennett and husband Jim of Auburn; uncle, Jerry Ackley and wife Carol of Oak Harbor; aunt Peggy Ackley Sinclair and husband Ed of Vancouver; and many loving aunts, uncles, nieces, nephews and cousins. She will always be remembered by her happy, contagious laughter and her love of life, known as “Firecracker” by lifelong friends and relatives. She was preceded in death by her mother, Jackie, on Dec. 24, 2004, also her step-brother, Damon Neth, in February 1999.

A memorial service will be held at 2 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 19, at The Vineyard Church, 1207 East Reserve St., in Vancouver. There will be a private graveside service at a later date at Maple Leaf Cemetery in Oak Harbor.