Teresa Amanda Tawney

Teresa Amanda Tawney, 90, of Nampa, Idaho, passed away on Tuesday, August 25, 2026, surrounded by her loving family.

She was born near California, El Salvador, on December 5, 1935, to the late Maria Teresa Quijada and Carlos Jimenez Gomez. She spent her early years in El Salvador before moving to San Francisco, California. After graduating from Galileo High School, she attended trade school and trained as an office typist.

Teresa met Joseph Reid Tawney while working in a San Francisco office; he worked in another office in the same building. They married in 1967 and lived in San Francisco until the birth of their first daughter, Terry Ann. The family then moved to Klamath Falls, Oregon, where their second daughter, Tamara Amanda, was born. They later spent time in Kirkland, Washington, after Joe accepted a job there. In 1980, Joe was transferred to Boise, Idaho, and they remained in the Treasure Valley for the rest of their lives.

Teresa is survived by her daughter, Tamara Peterson (Mark); her grandchildren, Erica Bentley (Bruce), Zachary Peterson (Patience), and Amanda Peterson; and her great-grandchildren, Abigail Peterson, Viviana Bentley, and Kasen Bentley. Of her five siblings, her brother Jose Napoleon Gomez (Rosario) survives her. She was preceded in death by her daughter, Terry Ann; her husband, Joseph; and her grandson, Jacob Peterson.

Teresa was a loving mother, wife, daughter, sister, and grandmother. She welcomed every visitor with wonderful food and cookies, ensuring that no one left her home hungry. Her chocolate chips and snickerdoodle cookies were favorites. She also preserved many family recipes from El Salvador, and her family will cherish their memories of making Salvadoran tamales and pupusas with her. Preparing these foods was a family event that brought everyone together to cook and share a meal.

A celebration of Teresa’s life will take place on November 24, 2026. She will be interred at 2 p.m. at the Veteran Cemetery, 10100 Horseshoe Bend Road, Garden City, Idaho. A gathering will follow at the home of Mark and Tammy Peterson.