Hilary Ann Koyen Terjesen

Kill Devil Hills – Hilary Ann Koyen Terjesen unexpectedly passed at the age 64 on July 11, 2017 due to complications with her heart. She has been a resident of Colington for many years. She was born in Plainfield NJ to E. Kenneth and Catherine Koyen on January 16th,1953. Hilary graduated from Monmouth College in West Long Beach, NJ with a Fine Arts Degree in 1975. She married the love of her life, Keith Terjesen on September 25th 1976 in Point Pleasant Beach, NJ. Keith and Hilary spent over 40 beautiful years together raising their two children on the Outer Banks.

She is survived by her loving husband,  Keith Terjesen, daughter Kira Terjesen, granddaughter Madison Webster of Colington, son, Cheyne Terjesen and his wife Danny of  Dana Point California, and her only sister, Nancy D’Andrade of Colington.

Hilary was know by many in the community as a Kill Devil Hills mail carrier. She held this post for over twenty years. Her colleagues and friends will remember her always with a big smile to brighten their day & as a friend who always remembered  birthdays and extended a helping had to anyone who needed it.

Hilary will be remembered for her love for the ocean, beach combing, sunbathing and spending time with family on the beaches of Ocracoke Island, her favorite spot on the Outer Banks. She was one of the 1st Sanctuary Officers with The Corolla Wild Horse Foundation and assisted with the building of the Horse Fence. She organized, held events, and designed t-shirts kick starting what is now the Wild Horse Fund. Her love and compassion for animals always present in her everyday life, starting in her childhood years.

She was extremely creative in her art, poetry and photography. An avid antiques lover, always taking the opportunity in the moment to explore an old house or landmark, always up for an good adventure. Hilary’s creative nature shinned through in her love for cooking a great meal, sharing her innovative flair with family meals and holiday gatherings with her friends and family. She had an unwavering admiration for what Mother Earth offered and always being grateful for it, her passion for nature was a big part of her beautiful and unique personality.

Hilary will be remembered as a loving and dedicated mother, wife and  best friend to her beautiful granddaughter Madison whom she cherished with every breath. Spending time with her family will be their greatest memories as her most joyful moments. A kind and compassionate friend always thinking of others, she had a kind of radiant spirit that captured life in the moment. If you were blessed to have known her your life was forever touched. Admired for her corky quick witted humor and rich vibrant spirit. Hilary’s extinguished light makes the world a little darker for the rest of us, she will be dearly missed, but she is dancing on the beach under the full moon like no one was watching….

Condolences to the family may be expressed at www.gallopfuneralservices.com, by letters to the family’s home, and on her children’s social media pages.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to “Hilary Terjesen Medical and Memorial Fund” C/O Southern Bank P.O. Box 2037 KDH, NC 27948

Information about Hilary Terjesens’ memorial service will be shared in the local news papers and on Facebook, at a future date.  Gallop funeral Services, Inc. was entrusted with arrangements.