SANDPOINT — “The meaning of life is to find your gift. The purpose of life is to give it away.” — William Shakespeare

Raising four children while also working leaves little time for the average person to do much else. But Terri Albertson is far from average. Her devotion to her community over the past several decades has earned her the life achievement award as a Woman of Wisdom for 2018, an honor that is well deserved.

“As the face and the force behind many positive entities within our community, she is truly deserving,” wrote her friend Marianne Love in her letter of nomination for Terri.

Living on a large cattle ranch, Terri has been involved in many activities in the local cattle industry. She is always on hand to help serve up the tasty barbecued beef sandwiches to patrons of the fair in the main exhibit building each year. She is also a longtime member of Idaho CattleWomen that helps promote the beef industry locally and statewide.

As part of Terri’s involvement with the CattleWomen, Terri has worked tirelessly over the years fundraising to promote and provide college scholarships for Bonner County residents who are majoring in the agricultural field. Countless students have been helped in their field of study in part due to Terri’s efforts.

Terri was known to many for 25 years when she served as a rural mail carrier, a job she started when her youngest child began school. “Terri is also a faithful church member, member of a Bible study group, mother of four wonderful and successful children, adoring grandmother and devoted wife to a longtime, respected area rancher and educator,” said Love, who adds that whatever role Terri is in, she is always positive and inspiring.

Terri’s daughter, Tracie Roos, said it is Terri’s undying commitment to her community and way of life that is her mother’s strongest asset. And even though she may be retired, she has not slowed down.

While her kids were growing up, Terri was involved in the Northside Elementary School Parent Teacher Organization, the local Grange and countless 4-H projects.

Terri has inspired future generations as a role model in promoting the importance of agriculture in Bonner County through her volunteer work as past president of the Bonner County Cattlewomen, working on election boards, serving on the Bonner County Agriculture-Forestry Committee and serving as a Superintendent for the Bonner County Fair, just to name a few.

A lifetime advocate for education, a few years ago Terri attended every school board meeting and voiced her opposition to the closing of Northside Elementary when that was under consideration. Even today the staff there all know her as Grandma Terri.

Tracie shares that her mother will be the first one to help when someone needs something. “She is constantly running things by Kinderhaven. If she hears somebody needs something, she runs it to them, and there are the little things she does that nobody will probably ever notice that just amaze me,” said Tracie. “I honestly don’t know how any of us future generations will ever be able to live up to what she does. Who am I kidding? We can’t even begin to try!”

These are just some of the many extraordinary qualities that have earned Terri Albertson the honor of being named one of this year’s Women of Wisdom. Thank you, Terri, for your part in making Sandpoint such a special place to live.

In addition to Terri, the other Women of Wisdom 2018 honorees include Rose Chaney, Helen Newton, Jennifer Leedy and Loris Michael. This year’s Women of Wisdom Gala will take place on Saturday, May 12, beginning at 11am with a welcome reception followed by a luncheon and program from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. at the Columbia Bank Events Center, 414 Church, in Sandpoint. Tickets are $30 each. You can reserve your seat by calling Diane Arrants at 208.255.6194 or by emailing [email protected].

The 2018 Women Honoring Women committee members are: Kari Saccomanno, chair; Diane Arrants, Robin Bianco, Kathy Chambers, Kathy Conger, Barbara Eacret, Deanna Harris, Alana Hatcher, Patty Hutchens, Julie Jurenka, Pat Lewis, Debbie Love, Sally Lowry, Laurie Mattila, Jeralyn Mire, Marlene Rorke, Sandy Ross, Marilyn Sabella, Tina Sleyster, Kendall Stratton, Sally Transue and Linda VanDellen.