Teresa Ann “Terry” Howland

Howland—Teresa Ann “Terry” Howland, 75, on September 18, 2022, in Tucson, Ariz. Terry was born on October 19, 1946, to Richard Howland and Gertrude Glass Howland in Auburn, N.Y. She had an older brother, Willia; older sister, Catherine; and a younger sister, Laura. Terry grew up in West Hartford, Conn.

Terry studied textiles and weaving at the Rochester Institute of Technology where she met her husband, Steven Levine. They married on April 16, 1966, and had a son, Benjamin Alexander Levine, on August 25 of that year. The couple later divorced, and Ben continued to live with Terry. Ben was the greatest single joy in Terry’s life.

Terry became interested in Buddhism and Quakerism when she was in high school. She was involved with Quakers through peace work and was interested in Buddhism as a religion. While staying true to the Buddhist framework throughout her life, she became involved with Quaker worship in 1984 when she moved to Tucson. Terry lived in Tucson for 11 years until she returned to Tennessee in 1995 to care for her aging parents. She returned to Tucson following the deaths of her parents.

Terry became active in meeting life beginning in 2002. She clerked for the Homeless Hospitality Committee for a number of years. She saw each person as inherently valuable in their own right. It was important to Terry to show hospitality to the homeless men that stayed at the meetinghouse, treating them as beloved guests. She served on the Peace and Social Concerns, Membership and Marriage, Ministry and Oversight, Kitchen, and Nominating Committees. Her vocal ministry was often a gentle reminder to notice the wonder around us.

For decades Terry wrote letters to and visited several incarcerated men through prison visitation projects. She actively promoted community in her neighborhood by visiting sick neighbors and sharing food with them.

In 2016, Terry became a member of Pima (Ariz.) Meeting. She continued to hold Buddhist beliefs but no longer saw those beliefs as incongruous with Quakerism.

Terry had a deep love of nature and the natural world. She enjoyed camping, foraging wild foods, and cooking over an open fire. She loved art and curated her small house to include beautifully arranged areas everywhere one looked. She was whimsical and enjoyed homemade cards (both making and receiving), quirky art projects, and unexpected joys. She was a woman who could find something to appreciate in almost any place and situation. Her childlike wonder in the unfolding of her life’s journey was memorable.

Terry is survived by one child, Benjamin Levine (Gina Steele); a sister, Catherine; two grandchildren; and her former partner, John Franzone.