Mary Terry

Born Mary Patricia Meeley, Dr. Mary M Terry passed away on Christmas Eve after a decades-long battle with breast cancer. She is survived by her only son, Daniel, of Long Island City, and life partner Gregory Koch. Surviving also are mother Mary Ellen, sister-in-law Joanne (Tricia, Kate, Bessa), sister Carolyn with husband Chuck (Bill, Charlie, Caitlin), and brothers Stephen with wife Stacye (Keara), John with wife Donna (Thomas, Lauren, Colleen), Robert with wife Liz (Joseph, James) and Brian with wife Sybil (Colin, Claire).

For those in her counsel - family, friend, or colleague - Mary could always find the quiet struggle in the room and connect with the one bearing it, draw it forth, examine it, laugh at it, and give its power back to those carrying the burden. And we all watched her draw on her own inner strength in the process. Her humor and wisdom touched so many, whether by making up poems to tame and befriend elusive words, reading aloud and adding drama and excitement in the most amazing voices, donning silly garb and conducting science experiments with the little ones around a table at the beach, having intense heart-to-hearts in the wee hours, or sitting quietly by, so those dear to her knew they were never alone.

Dr. Terry spent the last 25 years alongside many dear colleagues teaching science and the roots of self-directed discovery to so many boys rolling through their formative years at the Allen-Stevenson School in Manhattan. This is where her scientific background as a PhD neurobiologist was allowed to blossom as an energetic educator - teaching exploration and inquiry while holding the hand of another.

Please join us in remembrance in all of these ways, and in any personal and singular ways she will surely have inspired. Be it in person, in spirit, through gesture or quiet meditation, call to mind the gifts she has given to each of us. Wish her well. Take comfort in her peace. Take pride in her triumphs. And take a moment now and again to call to mind the tiny gifts and the grand visions at the times and places she would have filled for you, were she still at your side. She is, and always will be. Our Peach.

Service Information:

Mass of Christian Burial to be held Saturday, Dec 30th, 10:00am at Holy Name of Jesus Roman Catholic Church, 96th & Amsterdam on Manhattan's Upper West Side.

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Susan G. Komen Foundation for Breast Cancer, or the charity of your choice.