Shirley Zeller Terry
Shirley Zeller Terry left this earth peacefully on February 22, 2017, after a long life informed by faith, generosity, optimism, and intellectual curiosity. She often remarked that her many, life-long volunteer activities constituted her response to Our Lord’s words: “I have no hands but yours.”
Born June 16, 1924 in St. Louis, MO, she graduated from St. Edward’s Grammar School and was awarded a full academic scholarship to St. Joseph’s Academy. She received a fellowship to St. Louis University to study medical technology, where she met Robert Terry, a medical student. They were married on May 31, 1947 at the St. Louis University College Church.
Shirley especially enjoyed the years 1951-54 in San Diego, CA where Bob continued a residency in Pediatrics after serving in the Korean Conflict aboard the General Nelson Walker.
She was the reason for much of the magic at 400 Urbano Drive, the Terry Family home in San Francisco for the thirty years between 1956-86. Testimony to the warmth and welcoming nature of the household (as well as the innocence of earlier times), the front door was never locked while card games, charades, and spirited conversations often extended into the wee morning hours. Shirley didn’t just preach hospitality; she lived it. She also good-naturedly welcomed many, many family pets—generations and generations of kittens and puppies.
She loved poetry, music, and a good joke; she had no tolerance for vulgarity, lack of restraint, and selfcenteredness.
Besides nurturing her own eight children, she served as President of the St. Emydius Parish Women’s Club, President of the Ignatian Guild of St. Ignatius College Preparatory, and President of St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center Auxiliary.
Returning to the workplace at age 50, Shirley managed the San Francisco office of a regional CPA firm and became a founding member (and later President) of the Embarcadero Center Women’s Forum. Moving to Redwood City, CA in 1986, she was Firm Administrator at a Peninsula CPA firm until she retired in 1995.
In 1998, she returned to San Francisco and lived at Stern Grove Court where she enjoyed the company of her many friends there and close-by. Volunteering was still integral to her life; she served as President of Little Children’s Aid, President of Turrisaburnea Club, and (again) President of St. Mary’s Hospital and Medical Center Auxiliary.
Shirley was preceded in death by her husband, Robert Terry, M.D. She is survived by her children: Mary Rector (David); Kevin Terry (Mary); Christine Hutson (Phillip); Mark Terry, M.D. (Cindy); Kit Mustola (Russell – deceased); Michael Terry (Ellen); Lisa Becher (Paul); Donna DeAnda (Chris) as well as numerous grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
A Celebration of Life Mass will be held at St. Isabella’s Catholic Church in San Rafael, CA on March 18th at 11:00 am with a reception following in the parish hall. Donations in remembrance of Shirley may be sent to Little Children’s Aid, a division of Catholic Charities.