Terry Proctor Edgers
April 19, 1931 - January 13, 2008
Obituary
TERRY PROCTOR EDGERS
July 19, 1931 – January 13, 2008
As the result of complications from leukemia, Terry died during a 29-day stay at Swedish Hospital. Her husband Bob, their four children and spouses were all at her bedside. An incredible team of physicians and other health professionals guided by Dr. Henry Kaplan brought all their skills and compassion to help her fight, but God had other plans for her.
She was born in Everett in the depths of the Great Depression and raised in Alderwood Manor and near Lake Serene. As the Salutatorian speaker for the Edmonds High School Class of 1949 her topic was “Homemaking.” As a 17 year old she recognized in her remarks that she and her classmates actually faced “…three careers – business, citizenship and home.” She closed her remarks saying, “…the home is the center of all life.”
And that is the life she led. An excellent wife, mother and homemaker, she sewed, tailored and knitted for all the family and was an exceptional cook. After her children were in school all day, she began working at Shorecrest High School, in administrative support for over 10 years. For the next two years Terry was with Arthur Anderson, then Genetic Systems for 10+ years and somehow, appropriately finished her working career at Plymouth Congregational Church for 5 years.
Her “citizenship” career included participating in Gamma Phi Beta activities and staying connected with her sorority sisters till the very end. She was a Section General for United Way, was Director of Richmond Beach Congregational Church Vacation Church School and sang in the church choir. She was a Blue Bird and Camp Fire leader and for several years she conducted tours as a Docent for the Museum of History and Industry. With Seattle Milk Fund, Terry was a Board of Trustees member and Chairman and active member of the Anabel Rose Circle.
She met her then-future husband Bob on a blind date arranged by her cousin Tom Tatham who was Bob’s Phi Kappa Psi roommate. Terry completed her University of Washington graduation requirements six months early to join Bob in his Air Force assignment in Washington, DC and took her last final exam the day of their wedding rehearsal dinner. They celebrated their 55th wedding anniversary in Terry’s hospital room this past December 19th.
During her hospital stay, Terry had a chance for final but happy visits with all her children: daughter Enid; son Rob and his wife Nancy plus their son Matthew; son Peter and his wife Deann plus their children Jacob, Michaela and Christopher; and son Tracy and wife Evelyn plus their children Spencer and Jackie. Her loving husband Bob had been at her side and had been her at-home caregiver for the last several years.
A Memorial Service will be held at 1 PM on Friday, January 18th at Seattle’s Plymouth Congregational Church at Sixth and University. The family requests in lieu of flowers, memorial donations be sent to the Henry Kaplan Research Foundation, 1221 Madison St. Suite 200, Seattle WA 98104.