(SWJA)

Terese Marx-Ferrin

Terese Marx was born in Frankfort, Germany on June 26, 1846 and immigrated to the United States with her family. Terese Marx was working as a milliner in San Francisco, California when she met her future husband, Joseph Ferrin. They were married at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Joseph (possibly relatives of the Ferrins) by Rabbi Aaron J. Messing of Congregation Beth Israel, a pioneer orthodox synagogue in the San Francisco Bay area. The newlyweds soon relocated to Tucson.

The Ferrin's had three children within four years. (One of the children was named Clara -- see Clara Bloom). Terese raised her children while becoming involved in various Tucson activities. She became very prominent in philanthropic work and was well known for her many charities. In 1890, Terese was named president of the Hebrew Ladies Benevolent Association, which was planning to build a synagogue. She was very active in the planning of Temple Emanu-El. In 1910, Terese was present for the laying of the cornerstone of the synagogue on South Stone Avenue, which was the first synagogue in the the Territory of Arizona.

Terese was known as "The Angel of Tucson." She often accompanied one of the town's doctors on emergency calls. She apparently was a self-trained holistic practitioner and herbologist. It was said that her remedies never failed.

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