Teresa Pittman

12 February 2021

Teresa Pittman, age 56, died of complications related to COVID-19 on February 9. Teresa started work as a custodian in June 1997 and, during her almost 24 years on campus, she worked in many buildings, including the Rec Center, Cowling, Laird, Old Music, Goodhue, Cassat, Faculty Club, and most recently in Anderson, Olin, Hulings and Evans. She made connections across campus with people in those buildings and beyond.

Teresa was known as a wonderful teammate in Custodial Services, always reaching out and trying to lift people up. She was warm and outgoing, sharing a smile or a kind word with those around her. She was highly regarded as a colleague and will be deeply missed.

Teresa was married and had two children and three stepchildren, including Carrie Akemann in Bon Appetit. A more complete obituary and information about a memorial service will be forthcoming. Teresa’s family has set up a GoFundMe site to help cover medical and funeral costs.

The Carletonian published a remembrance of Teresa on March 7, 2021.

Posted In

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Comments

2021-02-12 09:01:26

Adriana Estill

I would run into Teresa when I went into Laird in the early mornings--usually towards the end of her shift there. She was always warm and smiley and kind. I am sad to think of Carleton without her.

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2021-02-12 09:25:22

Annette Nierobisz

Teresa was my Rec Center buddy. We often worked out at the same time, side-by-side on the ellipticals. Teresa was friendly, funny, kind, and a great pal. May her family find peace and comfort in their good memories of our dear Teresa.

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2021-02-12 10:26:56

Barbara Allen

Always a smile. Always a kind heart.

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2021-02-12 10:46:21

Christopher Tassava

Like so many, I got to know Teresa both at the Rec Center, where we shared many tough workouts, and in Laird, where she did a wonderful job as a custodian. Sometimes I’d go to the office early to find her vacuuming with classic rock BLASTING on her boombox. What a great way to start the day. She'll be missed. My condolences to her family and loved ones.

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2021-02-12 10:56:27

Mikki Showers, Campus Recreation

Teresa effortlessly made everyone else have a good time! She always put a smile on my face and will continue to do so whenever I think about her! I will truly miss our chats about being a grandma and sparring when the Packers and Vikings played!

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2021-02-12 11:03:40

Rich Keiser

At a time that I was a dedicated exerciser at the Rec Center, Teresa was there everyday inspiring me. She was on the elliptical before me and when I finished she was still exercising. She always smiled a big hello and we talked during our breaks. And whenever I saw her cleaning the building, we always talked. She really was fond of the students. She will be missed my many.

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2021-02-12 11:26:17

Adam Webster

Such a wonderful, kind person. Carleton will deeply miss her.

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2021-02-12 11:36:16

Fred Rogers

I enjoyed every interaction with her and can't believe that her smile is no longer shining on campus. I'm sure she is smiling somewhere. My. condolences to family and all her friends.

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2021-02-12 12:23:42

Heidi Eyestone

I got to know Teresa in Thad's classes. She always inspired me with her gentle determinedness and made me laugh. A real workout sister! I will miss her.

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2021-02-12 12:37:50

Amy Erickson

My heart breaks for Teresa's family. I hope you know just how many people Teresa touched with her smile, her positive attitude and wonderfully kind spirit! I loved having her work in our building and so enjoyed our impromptu chat about life, health or whatever was happening at the time. Teresa will be sooo greatly missed by so many!

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2021-02-12 12:45:06

Noboru Tomonari

I am very sorry to hear of Teresa's passing; I remember having been introduced to her at LDC quite some years ago. My deepest sympathy goes to her family members.

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2021-02-12 12:58:47

Aishee Mukherji

Teresa was the first person I would see each morning, and her smile and every conversation I had with her would just light up my day. She would always go out of her way to ask how I was doing, and it just meant so much to me and all of the students lucky enough to have met her. She touched so many with her beautiful smile and warm personality, and Carleton will not be the same without her. My deepest condolences to Teresa's family.

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2021-02-12 14:59:51

Heidi Miller

Teresa was an individual who could put a smile on anyone's face no matter what they were going through. She was fun to be around and had the most contagious laugh. I will miss her during Wednesday workouts which I didn't always attend... she'd be the first to always ask what my excuse was this time and when I would get caught not working out and talking, she'd say less talk and more working out.😂 Thoughts and Prayers with family, friends and loved ones♡

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2021-02-12 15:08:21

Todd Jamison

I was saddened to read about Teresa. I tend to get to work very early and on most of those mornings, Teresa would be hard at work. She would have her classic rock station cranked so loud that she seldom heard me come in and I could slip by her unnoticed. It seemed like a few times each week she would be startled to find me working so early. We always had a good laugh about it and a brief conversation about our families. I said to her once, "Teresa, if it doesn't give you a headache then it's not worth listening to." She replied, "Amen to that!" This is a big loss for our family here at Carleton and for Teresa's family and friends. My sincere condolences to her family and friends.

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2021-02-12 15:24:41

Michael Kowalewski

I used to see and talk to Teresa regularly in the Rec Center and doing so always brightened my day. That smile! Not just a smile, but a twinkle in her eye and a steady, down-to-earth way of taking one thing at a time. She was kind and caring and quick to check in on others to make sure everything was going okay. And she had a way of approaching life’s strange twists and turns with a resilience and a slightly amused “What next?” attitude that I greatly admired. I will miss her dearly – what a blessing she was in our lives!

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2021-02-12 19:57:49

Marty Baylor

I would run into Teresa once or twice a day - usually in the morning on my way to my office just as the sun was coming up and then again on days when I went to The Rec for one of Thad's classes. There was always a greeting, even if just a wave at a distance. There was always a smile when I was close enough to see her face. There was always encouragement when we were able to chat. She was a blessing and I will miss her very much.

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2021-02-12 20:51:10

Cora Showers, '20

Teresa was one of the first people to welcome me to Carleton. And her thoughtful and funny personality continued to welcome me at the Rec. and around campus for the next 4 years. Teresa was the type of person that makes Carleton the special place that it is, a true Carl who helped Carls. The College will not be the same without her, she is dearly missed.

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2021-02-13 08:00:25

Kris Layman

Too young for this shortened life of such a bright, positive person. Teresa would be finishing up the room that I would teach yoga in, and we'd enjoy conversation. When I would head to the Rec Center for workouts, she would always be there, running circles around everyone else. Every interaction, she always had a bright smile, welcoming dialogue, and I would always feel uplifted. A loss that has multiple ripples of sadness. Condolences to her family and close friends.

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2021-02-16 13:20:43

Linda Mueller

Teresa touched so many lives, more than any of us probably know about. Her smile and upbeat attitude were infectious and will be missed. A light extinguished much too soon. May you shine bright in our hearts Teresa. Condolences to her family.

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2021-02-16 14:03:04

Mary Loven

I was always happy to see Teresa when I came to work at the Rec. She was warm, funny, welcoming, and a just bit mischievous. She had a big heart she will dearly be missed.

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