Theresa (Terry) F. Gross, age 99, beloved wife, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, and treasured aunt died peacefully on May 3, 2022, in Silver Spring, MD. She was born in New York, NY on May 11, 1922, spent most of her childhood on City Island, NY, and worked at Ratsey and Lapthron, Inc. after graduating high school.
Terry married the love of her life, Charley, on August 7, 1948. They moved from City Island, NY to Cobleskill, NY and then to Burlington, Vermont where they had their daughter, Amy. They then moved to Kingston, Rhode Island where they had their first son, Kenneth. From there, they moved to Bellefonte, Pennsylvania where they welcomed their second son, Timothy. After living in Pleasant Gap for several years, the family moved to Fairbrook (outside State College) in 1960. During the 1970s, Terry worked as a supervisor at Jostens Yearbook Company and was one of the first two employees hired. They had great neighbors who were kind in the years prior to Charley and Terry moving to assisted living in Silver Spring, MD to be close to their three children and their families (Amy & Lester and their children Benjamin, Amanda, and grandson Anthony); (Ken & Leah and their son, Alex); (Tim & Kim and their children Nathan & wife Lori and children Brandon, Aidan, Colin, Elijah, Quentin and Ainsley; and Adam & wife Andi and children Adam [AJ] and Jackson).
Some of Terry's favorite times were summer vacations at the Outer Banks of North Carolina with Charley and their extended family. She was an avid reader and spent hours in libraries, bookstores, and flea markets. She volunteered for many years at the annual book sale held on the Penn State campus. Music and plays brought her joy, and she and Charley attended the State College Area Municipal Band concerts and Boalsburg Playhouse plays. Terry was creative and produced lovely art and crafts. Their home was filled with music, singing and fun, not to mention her wonderful meals.
Terry taught her family the importance of being a selfless, generous, loving, giving person. Nothing made her happier than giving something she knew the recipient would enjoy. She was a sweet, warm, caring person who had delightful stories to share and the gift of making everyone around her feel special. She is predeceased by Charley – they were always together holding hands and were role models on how to love. Her family and friends are celebrating her beauty inside and out that spilled over on everyone in her path.
Found in her belongings was this saying in her handwriting, "I am not going to die, I'm going home like a shooting star" (Sojourner Truth).
A private service is being planned at the Centre County Memorial Park in State College, PA.