She was born April 21, 1964, in Anchorage.

Her family wrote: "Teslin was named after Teslin Lake in the Yukon Territory. Most of her childhood was spent in New Mexico, where she was raised by her mother and stepfather. ... In New Mexico, Teslin acquired a love for adventure and for the great outdoors. She met her future husband, Daniel Parks, while attending the University of New Mexico, where they were both active on the ski team. After graduating from UNM with a Bachelor of Arts degree in anthropology, she worked for a year in the Amazon jungle with the Indians of the Madre de Dios region of Peru.

"Teslin returned to Alaska with her husband, Daniel, in 1997. They cleared land in the Matanuska-Susitna area, built a house, and had their son, Joshua Mayo. She loved the Mat-Su community where she and her family found sustenance and purpose. Among Teslin's many passions were her family, many friends, and the Unity Church of the Valley group.

"The Valley Community for Recycling Solutions, a nonprofit organization, held a special place in her heart. Teslin worked hard to help establish a comprehensive recycling center. ... As the volunteer coordinator, she dearly loved all "her" volunteers and was continuously delighted by the community members and those from near and far who brought their recyclables to the center.

"She will be remembered for her unselfishness, her wit, her rebellious streak and her love of life."

She is survived by her husband, Daniel; son Joshua; mother and stepfather, Pat and Mike Boring; father, Clark Phillips; aunt and uncle, Judy and Don Machen; cousins, Jonathan and Patty Machen; stepsister, Rachael Galper and family; mother- and father-in-law, Ann and John Parks; sister-in-law, Jenny Brown and family; and brother-in-law, Tom Parks.