Community members gathered for a candlelight vigil at the Signal Hill Park Amphitheater Wednesday, Feb. 23, to mourn the life of Commissioner Terry Rogers, who died on Jan. 30.
At the park, wreaths of yellow flowers flanked posters with images from Rogers’s life, often surrounded by friends and community members. She was known for being prolific in the community, with speakers at the event noting how she seemed to be everywhere.
“I can’t recall a chamber of commerce lunch or one of the events downtown or an event for the Salvation Army, or some event that Terry wouldn’t immediately run up to me and say hello and give you a big hug,” Long Beach Mayor Robert Garcia said. “I would run into her at airports in Sacramento. You just ran into her all over.”
Rogers served on the boards of the Signal Hill Police Foundation, Signal Hill Community Foundation, Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce, Signal Hill Historical Society and Friends of the Signal Hill Library.
Her service also extended to the Signal Hill Rotary, Salvation Army and Rock for Vet’s Music is the Remedy. She was involved in the subcommittee to help design the library, as well as one for the new Heritage Park.
She received numerous awards of recognition throughout her career, many of which were on display at the vigil. She was recognized as a Woman of Distinction by Senator Alan Lowenthal in 2012 and again by Assemblymember Patrick O’Donnell in 2015. She was recognized twice as Signal Hill Community Service Volunteer of the year in 2014 and 2018.
“We all have gifts, and we can choose to use them or not,” Signal Hill Councilmember Tina Hansen said. “Terry had the gift and the love of service and of encouragement.”
She worked in the real estate industry for over 25 years and had lived in Signal Hill since 2007. She is survived by her mother Barbara and siblings Mark, Becca, Tony and Don.
Mayor Keir Jones noted that she was instrumental in the City’s annual Concerts in the Park series, making the amphitheater an appropriate venue for her vigil. The cause of her death has not been released by her family or officials.
“Terry was a loving daughter, sister, great friend, neighbor, public servant, and humanitarian,” Jones said. “She’s left such a huge mark on all whose lives she has touched.”
That mark extended to many Signal Hill city council members. Councilmember Lori Woods, a close friend of Rogers, took to the stage to sing a duet of “Scars of Heaven” by Casting Crowns, with the lyrics: “If I had only known the last time would be the last time / I would’ve put off all the things I had to do / I would’ve stayed a little longer, held on a little tighter / Now what I’d give for one more day with you.”
The song went on as the sun set in the distance. Those who hadn’t yet shed a tear could be seen switching their candles from hand to hand to wipe their faces.
Judy Johnson, who worked with Rogers at the Signal Hill Chamber of Commerce, said, “Knowing Terry, you’d know she was always 10 steps ahead of everybody—speakers, sponsors, ideas to keep our chamber on the uphill.”
A mutual friend had convinced them to join the Signal Hill Chamber together.
“Knowing us, he figured it wouldn’t be long before we would be involved and taking charge. He knew us well,” Johnson said, noting that the two joined the board of directors. “Shortly thereafter Terry became president. Are we surprised?”
Many credit Rogers’ efforts with reinvigorating the chamber during her five years as president. She was described by many as selfless, someone who put others before herself.
“One of Terry’s talents was the ability to get people to see her ideas and in turn want to join her and the work that she was planning and she made you feel you had accomplished a great deal,” Johnson said.
Rod Gardner, Rogers’ partner, said the two had recently traveled across California together, visiting the Avenue of the Giants, Santa Cruz and Capitola.
The two would often attend events together, where Rogers would spend her time socializing, something she was well-known for.
Gardner recalled her often saying, “Okay we’re about ready to go,” which would mean they’d be there for “ at least a half-hour.”
After his comments, he stood back from the podium to play “Sissy’s Song,” written by Alan Jackson after his sister died, with the chorus “She flew up to heaven on the wings of angels / By the clouds and stars and passed where no one sees / And she walks with Jesus and her loved ones waitin’ / And I know she’s smilin’ sayin’, don’t worry ’bout me.”
“I can see her up there organizing the angels,” he said. “Rest in paradise.”
