Obituary of Susan N. Terry

Susan "Sue" Nicoletti Terry, a resident of Bethany Village in Horseheads NY, passed peacefully during the evening of February 21st, 2021, in the presence of her beloved sons, Richard, Jonathan, and David. Sue was born in Brooklyn, NY, on Nov. 4, 1928. She was raised in a tight-knit family of Catholic faith with multiple siblings, all of whom she remained close with throughout her life. Sue married and became a mom at 32, balancing motherhood with a successful career as an office manager with the Young President's Organization in New York City, before becoming a full-time mom. Sue and family moved to Downsville, New York in her 40th year, transitioning from the urban canyons of West 82nd Street to the mountains of the Catskills. Like the garden she tended to every day, Sue flourished and grew in this new environment. She became a member of the School Board. She worked for Planned Parenthood as an outreach associate, helping Delaware County families. Later in life, Sue lived in Binghamton, Westchester, and Elmira to be closer to her sons. Wherever Sue lived, she had a unique ability to engage others in discussion regardless of the topic or the sensitivity of the issue. As such, she became a confidante of many friends and family members. Sue was an avid gardener and cook. A typical summer day would be Sue in muddy boots, tending her garden and giving orders, with something delicious and home-grown cooking in the kitchen. She was a fully converted City Girl, a good summer work day ended with a dip in the family pond. Sue's talent and love for cooking were unique, friends and family raved about her culinary skills, and never passed up a meal at the Terry House. But Sue was more than an efficient operator of a household. Her mind was never dormant; she was an active reader of fiction and non-fiction and was well-versed in cultural issues, not hesitant to express her opinions. She excelled in the game of Scrabble, rarely facing defeat. Sue led a full life. She loved with her whole heart, lived with passion, and never backed down from her convictions. Her love for her family was infinite, and her sacrifices far too numerous to mention. She became the family matriarch, and epitomized strength, leadership and compassion, Sue was predeceased by her beloved husband, Robert Terry, her dear siblings, Angelo, Joey, Mary, Delores, and Clem, dearly-loved niece Susan and many others. We know they will be re-united in God's Glory. Sue is survived by many nieces, nephews and cousins, her sons Richard, David and Jonathan, their beautiful spouses Maria, Alexandra, and Zoila, her grandchildren, Robinson, Kristian, Rachel, Joe, Isabella, David, Elisa, Robert and Noah, dearest and amazing in-laws Richard and Patience Terry of Arlington, Massachusetts, close friend Jeannie Taber, and her little dog Maggie, who will continue to get special "Grandma" treats. In honor of Sue, a Funeral Service will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2021, 11:00 AM, at St. Patrick's Church, 604 Park Place, Elmira, NY. A livestream of the Funeral Service will be available through the Facebook page for Most Holy Name of Jesus Parish (https://www.facebook.com/ElmiraCatholic). The family is not accepting flowers, and prefers donations to the Catholic Charities organization, or charity of your choice, in Sue’s name.