Teresa Ellen Gerber

On Friday, December 25, 2020, Teresa E. Gerber died peacefully at Holy Cross Hospital, Germantown, MD after simultaneously fighting courageous battles against both Trigeminal Neuralgia, a very painful nerve disease in her head, and NASH, a severe liver disease.

Terry was born in Washington, DC on October 22, 1942 and lived there during her early years. Terry’s father, Spartaco F. Donato (Sparty), was drafted into the Army early in WWII, and Martha, Sparty’s wife moved to upper PA to live with Terry’s uncle and aunt, Fred and Mary Zimmerman. After being discharged from the Army, Sparty moved his family to Falls Church, VA where Terry began school at St. Thomas Moore. Later they moved to Naylor Gardens in DC where Terry attended St. Francis Xavier on Pennsylvania Ave. In August of 1954, they moved into a house in Falls Church and Terry attended 7th and 8th grades at St. James Catholic Church and School. Terry attended St. Mary’s Academy high school in Alexandria, VA and upon graduating in 1960, Terry then earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Speech and Language Pathology with a minor in Psychology from The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC in 1964 graduating Suma Cumulate. She continued her studies earning a Masters’ Degree, also in Speech and Language Pathology. Terry continued her education for her entire life by attending Speech and Language Pathology professional society conferences, always exceeding the continuing educational certification requirements. She spent over 50 years devoting her life to helping/teaching children to overcome speech and language difficulties and transforming them from academically challenged students to successful professionals many of which earned advanced degrees in science, technology, medicine, and business. Terry loved reading and being the best at what she did.

In 1964, Terry married Andrew J. Gerber, who is also a graduate of The Catholic University of America. She is survived by her devoted husband of 56 years, Andrew, their 3 sons, Andrew (wife Carmen), Gregory (wife Waan) and David (wife Camelia), 7 grandchildren, Aimee Wilson, Catherine and Gregory (mother Jodi), Samantha, Andréa, Santiago, Sebastian, and 1 great grandchild, Tessa; Terry’s sister, Joanna Steffes and her children Christi (sons Andrew and Ryan), Brian (son James), and Matthew, as well as numerous brothers and sisters in-laws, nieces, nephews and their children.

Terry and her husband were devoted to all their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren as well as her sister’s grandchildren and her husband’s brothers’ and sisters’ grandchildren. She constantly had “telephone visits” with all her relatives, especially their children and grandchildren, all would receive subscriptions to children book series, magazines and other special gifts on their birthdays, seasonal holidays, graduations, special awards, accommodations, travel to sport activities nearby and other states, and numerous other special activities or events.

Terry loved life, especially animals and flowers (she had a green thumb and swore that her plants were healthier because she talked to her plants). Terry has a huge plant in her sunroom that is over 50 years old!

She loved to travel, and fortunately, because of her husband’s employment, they traveled the world and together they enjoyed every minute of their lives, but she recognized it was because of “the grace of God.”

Services will be a Wake from 4pm to 8pm on Jan. 8, 2021 at Murphy Funeral Home, 1102 West Broad St., Falls Church, VA 22046; Phone # 703-533-0341, and a Catholic Mass at St. James Catholic Church, GPS CHURCH LOCATION; 103 N. Spring Street, Falls Church, VA 22046, phone #: 703-532-8815. The family ask that those wanting to attend the services please RSVP to the funeral home due to gathering restrictions. Donations can be made to St. Jude’s Children Hospital, VFW and Wounded Warriors Association.