Obituary of Mary Lee Terpenning

Mary L. Terpenning Clinton Mary L. Terpenning, 93, of Clinton, passed away Tuesday, December 28, 2010 at the Martin Luther Nursing Home. She was born on February 25, 1917 in Newark Valley, NY to Sherwood D. and Grace Blankenship Chester. Mary graduated from Owego High School and attended Utica College. On September 7, 1939 in Owego, she was united in marriage to Burton J. Terpenning. The couple shared a union of 65 years until Burt's passing in 2006. Mary was a homemaker, caring for her family and also worked part-time for the Clinton Schools. She was a talented seamstress who made wedding dresses for her two granddaughters. She was a 4-H leader for 26 years, a member of the Oneida County Home Bureau and she was a co-instructor, with her husband, of AARP 55 Alive Driving Schools for seniors. Mary was a devoted member of Clinton United Methodist Church. She became a Certified Lay Speaker in the Lay Speaking Ministry of the Church and conducted Sunday services in many churches in the Utica area. Mary worked in the Women's Division of the Church on local, district, conference and jurisdiction levels. She was also a member of Church Women United, church representative of Neighborhood Center Board of Directors and was a member of Board of Directors of Folt's Home. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Catherine and Ray White; grandchildren, David White, Kim Christensen, Mike Morrill, Cathy and Chris Cucharale and John and Melissa White; great-grandchildren, Brian Christensen, Chloe and Parker White, Deanna and Daniel Cucharale; her sister-in-law, Charlotte Glasgow and many nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her husband, Burt, her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and George Morrill. Memorial services will be held at 11am Thursday, January 6, 2011 at Clinton United Methodist Church, Utica Rd, Clinton. The family will receive guests at church from 10am until the time of the service. Burial will be in Sunset Hill Cemetery. Please consider donations to Clinton United Methodist Church.