Therese A. (Phinney) Christensen

   Therese A. Christensen, 82, of Clayton passed away Tuesday morning, January 13, 2026, at Samaritan Medical Center.
   Therese was born in Watertown on June 1, 1943, daughter of Francis W. and Marjorie E. (Hickok) Phinney. She was a graduate of Clayton High School. On May 14, 1961, she married Dwain L. "Mike" Christensen in Rochester; he predeceased her on April 18, 2012.
   In 1964, the family moved to California, returning to Clayton in 1990. After returning home, Therese was involved with her husband in various businesses in Clayton and later retired as the owner and operator of Clayton Trading Co. She was a communicant of St. Mary's Church and a current member of the Clayton Planning Board.
   Therese enjoyed traveling, music, baking, her time spent on the River, and especially cherished time with her grandchildren and great grandchildren.
   She is survived by her four children: Michael J. Christensen of Oregon, Joy L. Rhinebeck and her husband Christopher J. of Clayton, Jill L. Valadez and her husband, Frank O. of Clayton, and Keith D. Christensen and wife Dema, Phoenix, AZ. She is also survived by seven grandchildren, Ryan, Heather, Frank, Michael, Jennifer, Kyle, and Julianne; nine great grandchildren, Alexandria, Grace, Makenna, Benjamin, William, Charles, Jon, Laylen, and Lilith; two sisters, Dolores Blasco of Ohio and Jenni Lyle and her husband David of South Carolina; several sisters-in-law; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins.
   Therese was predeceased by her parents; husband; and four brothers, Ronald, Patrick D., Lawrence P., and David Phinney.
   A funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, January 16, at 11:00 AM at St. Mary's Church in Clayton. Burial will take place in the spring in St. Mary's Cemetery at the convenience of the family. Arrangements are entrusted to Cummings Funeral Service, Inc., Clayton. Online condolences may be posted at www.cummingsfuneral.com.
   In lieu of flowers, donations in her memory may be made to Hospice of Jefferson County, 1398 Gotham St., Watertown, NY 13601.