Mount Angel Seminary honors late activist

Theresa Willett

ST. BENEDICT — Longtime Catholic activist and volunteer, Theresa Marie Willett, was posthumously awarded Mount Angel Seminary’s Lumen Gentium Award at the annual appreciation dinner.

The award, named in Latin for “Light of the Nations,” recognizes individuals who contribute significantly to the pastoral mission of the church. The prize was established in 1989, the 100th year anniversary of the seminary.

Theresa Willett was born in Texas. As a child, she and her family moved to Portland where she attended The Madeleine School and Holy Child Academy.

As the first woman member of the Seminary Advisory Board, Willett initiated the first Mount Angel Seminary Benefit Dinner. The dinner still plays an important role in supporting the seminary.

“Theresa’s reputation as a fundraiser and event planner earned her the respect of the Catholic community and she was loved and revered throughout Portland for her faithfulness, creativity, commitment and hard work,” says the seminary. “Theresa was a woman with a Catholic mind and heart. She responded to the needs of many Catholic institutions. She was a model of what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ who helps those in need. She was involved — active, courageous, perceptive, insightful, creative and generous.”

In spring 2005, Willet was diagnosed with ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease. After her diagnosis and referral to the ALS Association of Oregon and Southwest Washington, she became a volunteer and served on event committees and provided development advice.

The award was accepted by her husband of 31 years, Ken, and their children Catherine, Claire, Christopher and Colin.

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