Theresa Ann (Rowan) Peila passed away April 10 in Burns.

Theresa was born July 9, 1925, in Denver, Colo., to Leo and Nellie (Haney) Rowan. She grew up in a modest Irish community, where her father was a janitor for the Catholic school, and she and her two sisters, Catherine and Mary Agnes, attended. Theresa won an academic scholarship to attend Cathedral Catholic High School, located across town from her home. She relied upon public transportation to attend high school and her part-time job at KLZ radio station. While in high school, Theresa led a very active life. She and her sister, Catherine, worked for Denver Dry Goods Department Store, where their small statures (5-foot and 100 pounds) modeled the petite clothing. Their long, auburn hair also provided them the opportunity to model hairstyles. Theresa was also a member of the debate team, an academic scholar (class valedictorian 1943), and received numerous scholarship offers. Theresa eventually chose Denver University so she would be able to attend college in the evenings and work full time for KLZ. This allowed her to remain close to her family and help them financially. Working at KLZ was a job Theresa thoroughly enjoyed, as she was given so many differing duties. She mainly had journalist responsibilities; however, she sang live over the radio, wrote plays for them to produce on the air, and reported on special events. Theresa first learned to ride horses on her weekends, and she would rent horses from a nearby stable. She became such a frequent client that the stable hired her to lead trail rides for other customers. Her “spare time” was spent swimming in Sloan’s Lake, which led her to perform water ballet, but figure skating was her passion. Theresa was one of the top three figure skaters in Denver, and she won Miss North Denver. The three finalists were then to compete for the title of Miss Denver, and the grand prize was a contract with the traveling Ice Follies Show. The day of the competition, her recent fiancé, Jack, drove her in her aunt’s car, only to break down along the way. She didn’t arrive in time for the competition, but maintained a philosophical attitude by saying, “It wasn’t meant to be.”

Theresa’s personal needs took second priority during World War II. Although she was under age, she volunteered for the Women’s Motor Division, an auxiliary that drove vehicles for soldiers. Theresa was on assignment for KLZ during the Denver Stock Show when she met her husband, Jack Peila, a professional rodeo competitor. On June 25, 1946, they were married in the Immaculate Conception Cathedral in Denver. A ranch was purchased in Cope, Colo., which was very primitive and quite a change from the career life in Denver. With the birth of their first child fast approaching, Jack saddled up the only horse they owned, lifted Theresa and her suitcase upon him, and sent her off to ride six miles to town where she would catch a train to stay with her folks in Denver for the birth. Jack would chuckle when he told the story of her having to ride the length of main street in Cope to arrive at a stable where Theresa was to leave her horse. He was sure the community saw her, almost nine months pregnant, with her suitcase, and thought she was leaving for good. They didn’t know the grit Theresa possessed. The ranch in Cope was sold in 1949, and the family moved to Moon Creek near Miles City, Mont. There weren’t any modern conveniences at this ranch either, and the family grew to seven children. Theresa’s work ethic was impeccable. With no electricity or running water, laundry was performed at the well where clothes were often scrubbed on a washboard. She was a very determined person, and this showed through when she went into early labor during a winter snowstorm with child number six. With Jack elsewhere on the ranch working, Theresa loaded all the children and toboggan into the family car to attempt to drive herself to the hospital 30 miles away. She decided if she got stuck, the sled would be used to pull the little children back to the home. The older children were very glad when help arrived just as they began their journey.

In 1959, the Peila family moved to their present ranch, outside of Burns, where three additional children were born. Theresa had always wanted a large family and had a real love for children. She stressed the importance of education and, not only taught her children before they attended school, but read classic novels to them at bedtime. Theresa was not only intelligent, but artistic, creative, and very resourceful. She knitted gloves, scarves, hats, and sweaters. Clothes for the family were sewn by her in the evenings or when the older children were at school. Theresa’s artistic talents were put to use, creating one-of-a-kind patterns. She designed and tooled leather Western belts for everyone in the family. Theresa was a master at creating large meals, not only for her family, but for temporary employees. A delicious home-baked dessert completed each meal. Theresa loved her Pepsi or Coke and chocolate, which was often a meal preference for her.

Although, her family was her priority, she always had time to serve her community. In 1981, she was chosen as Harney County Woman of the Year. She became the recipient due to the numerous activities that she was involved in over the years. Theresa served as a 4-H leader, Harney County Juvenile Advisory Board member, Hines School budget board member, on various scholarship committees, on the BUHS District Needs ad hoc committee, and was a member of the Malheur Field Station Advisory Board. Jack and Theresa were honored to be selected as Harney County Fair and Rodeo Grand Marshals for 2009. However, Theresa’s greatest accomplishment for her community was keeping it environmentally safe and educating others on ranching issues. When a past governor of Oregon, the State Board of Health, the Attorney General, and a team of influential attorneys wanted to create a nuclear waste dump in Harney County, Theresa was the main person to stage a campaign against it. She ran into much opposition, even within the local government, as some viewed it as an opportunity for a new industry. Yet, Theresa had better foresight. Her campaign included writing news releases, letters, and addressing state and local hearings, prepared with facts and figures to oppose the toxic dump. She was up against the most powerful people in Oregon, and she won. She didn’t do this with expensive lawyers and a lot of assistance; she did this with professionalism and perseverance. This was not the only time she fought to protect the quality of our community. Theresa was a Cowbelle (Harney County Cattlewoman) for almost 50 years and held several offices, including president. She also served as chairperson of the legislative committee, where she voiced opposition to groups, legislation, and issues that would be detrimental to the agricultural industry. Theresa was a strong ranching advocate and was quick to correct any misconceptions on ranching, but was very approachable. While her family was growing up, many summer weekends were spent participating in rodeos. Theresa served as the secretary for Western States Jr. Rodeo Association and the High School Rodeo State finals. Even though the family had a busy schedule with work and rodeos, attending Sunday Mass was a top priority. Theresa was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church, served several years on the Parish Council, taught catechism, and was a member of the Ladies Altar Society. She was full of compassion and would frequently visit elderly people in the nursing home. When she realized someone was without family on a holiday, she was quick to include them with her family. She had a love for animals, and her favorites were often the abandoned ones. However, it was the babies and children that warmed her heart and made her smile.

Theresa is survived by 10 children and their spouses, Susan (Larry) Otley, Linda (Derrald) Mann, Mike (Sallie) Peila, Mary Jo (Lou) Davies, Bill (Lori) Peila, Ann Ross, Nellie (Scott) Franklin, Katie (Keith) Baltzor, Margarita (Jon) White, and Toni (Mario) Recanzone. She is also survived by 32 grandchildren; 52 great-grandchildren; sister, Mary Agnes Nusbaum, of Denver; sister-in-law, Cathy (Topper) Tracy; and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by husband, Jack; parents, Leo and Nellie Rowan; sister, Catherine Linscott; brother-in-law, Oscar Linscott; and son-in-law, Daryl Ross.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary was held Monday, April 15. Funeral Mass was Tuesday, April 16, at Holy Family Catholic Church. A reception and lunch  followed in the Parish Hall. Contributions in Theresa’s memory may be made to Harney County Right to Life or Kids Club of Harney County in care of LaFollette’s Chapel, P.O. Box 488, Burns, OR 97720.