Terri Kerwin Portola Valley CA Obituary, Death: Terri Kerwin of Portola Valley, California, passed away peacefully on June 5, 2025, surrounded by family and friends.
A pillar of the Menlo Park and greater Peninsula real estate community for more than three decades, Terri built a career defined by integrity, expertise, and genuine care for her clients.
Her warmth and professionalism earned her not only top industry awards but also lifelong friendships, and her loss leaves a profound void among all who knew and worked with her.
Born in San Francisco in 1962, Terri was raised in a close-knit family that instilled in her the values of hard work and compassion. After earning her degree in Business Administration from San Jose State University, she launched her real estate career in 1988.
At a time when the luxury market on the Peninsula was still emerging, Terri recognized the area’s untapped potential and became one of its earliest champions. Her keen eye for architectural detail, coupled with deep knowledge of local zoning and land-use issues, positioned her as the go-to agent for discerning buyers and sellers alike.
Over the years, Terri represented dozens of high-profile transactions, from historic Spanish-style estates in Atherton to modern eco-friendly homes in Portola Valley.
Yet her greatest satisfaction came not from commission checks but from the moment she handed a set of keys to a first-time homeowner or helped a growing family find the perfect space to put down roots. As one grateful client put it, “Terri didn’t just sell houses—she welcomed each of us into a community.”
This ethos of service extended beyond her business: Terri served on the boards of both the Mid-Peninsula Association of Realtors and the Portola Valley Town Council’s planning committee, offering her expertise to guide responsible growth throughout the region.
Away from the office, Terri was an avid hiker and nature enthusiast, traits she passed along to her two children, Meredith and Thomas. Weekends often found the Kerwin family exploring the trails of Windy Hill Open Space Preserve or kayaking on the calm waters of Tomales Bay.
A longtime supporter of the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District, Terri spearheaded several local fundraisers to preserve critical wildlife corridors and protect the scenic beauty of the Bay Area’s hillsides.
In her free time, she volunteered with Peninsula Habitat for Humanity, helping build homes for families in need—a natural extension of her belief that everyone deserves a place to call home.
Terri’s greatest legacy, however, lies in the relationships she forged. Colleagues remember her as a mentor who took young agents under her wing, sharing strategies for negotiation and marketing—but also lessons in empathy.
“She taught me that the most important thing is listening,” says one former mentee. “Those listening skills are what set me apart today.” Friends recall her generosity at holiday gatherings, her laughter echoing through Portola Valley’s grand pines, and the dinners she hosted on her patio, where guests savored her homemade tiramisu alongside lively conversation.
Terri is survived by her beloved children, Meredith Kerwin and Thomas Kerwin; her brother, David Malin; and her parents, Helen and Robert Malin. She also leaves behind a wide circle of clients who became friends, fellow agents who became collaborators, and neighbors across the Peninsula who benefited from her leadership.
A celebration of Terri’s life will be held at the Portola Valley Town Center on Saturday, June 20, at 2:00 pm, where family and friends are invited to share memories, stories, and laughter in her honor. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to the Midpeninsula Regional Open Space District or Habitat for Humanity of Silicon Valley, causes Terri championed with her whole heart.
