Terri Leigh (Hatch) Cortez, 54

Terri Leigh (Hatch) Cortez, 54, “went home to her Lord” on May 15, 2016, after a courageous three-year battle with a rare type of cancer — appendicial cancer.

She was born Oct. 25, 1961, in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, to Don and Jenean Hatch. Terri grew up in Colorado and Montana and graduated from Flathead High School in 1980. She attended Flathead Valley Community College on a volleyball scholarship and completed her education at Kinman Business College in Spokane.

Terri’s job in the airlines brought her to Boise, Idaho, in 1990 where she met Ken Cortez. They married in April of 1991 and recently celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary. They were blessed with two wonderful and beautiful children, Sergio and Siara. Her “job” at the airlines evolved into a 34-year career. She last was employed with American Airlines as a supervisor and friend. Her passion was to serve and help others and this allowed her to do both.

Terri loved to travel and a highlight was her visit to Israel with her brother and mother. Terri had many hobbies and interests. She and Ken shared the love of golfing and the outdoors. She enjoyed coaching and playing softball, hiking, biking, fishing, huckleberry hunting and gardening in her yard with her chickens. Terri was a true entrepreneur. She enjoyed sharing her business ventures with friends and family. Her generous spirt rendered most her business endeavors as “not for profit.” Terri’s payment was the satisfaction of the joy she brought to others. Her enthusiastic spirit was contagious. She was a beautiful, kind and selfless woman who is missed dearly.

She is survived by her husband Ken Cortez, son Sergio and daughter Siara, mother Jenean Hatch, sister Jennifer and brother Greg, and numerous nieces and nephews.

She was preceded in death by her father, Don Hatch.

A celebration of life service will be held at 3 p.m. today, May 20, at Red Rock Christian Church, 1124 S. Roosevelt, Boise, with a welcoming of friends to follow.

Donations will be accepted at Red Rock Christian Church for children’s summer camp.