Essex — Terry Dunn Drorbaugh of Essex, beloved wife of the late Leonard Drorbaugh, died peacefully at home on August 6, 2012.
Born on November 17, 1928 in St Louis Missouri, Terry was the spirited and strong daughter of Henry and Barbara (Stanfield) Dunn. Terry grew up in Scarsdale, NY and attended Wheaton College. On December 29, 1950 she married her soul mate, Len, with whom she shared sixty-one years of marriage. As newlyweds they lived in Ithaca, NY while Len completed his studies at Cornell and soon after graduation Terry and Len moved to Quakertown, PA where they happily farmed and fulfilled they dream to have a family of their own. Terry rejoiced in raising five children with whom she shared and instilled her strong convictions for honesty, equality, faith, optimism and adventure. Despite her struggles with polio as a child, Terry never complained about the pain nor allowed polio to define who she was or what she could do. She filled her life and those around her with a sense of love, calm, wellbeing, and beauty.
Terry had a keen intellect and thirst for a good book and stimulating conversation and enjoyed writing, gardening and volunteering. She had a unique ability to connect with people and accepted all people for whom they were, truly interested in their life story and readily recognized their humanity and goodness. A gracious and warm hostess she could create a delicious and beautiful meal from any group of ingredients whether on a camping trip on a mountain trail or in her formal dining room. Terry and Len shared a passion for gardening and found great comfort and peace in their flower and vegetable gardens. With a twinkle in her eye, Terry had a special place in her heart for children and rejoiced in reaching them on their level whether it was riding tricycles with the grandchildren; reading them a book; playing, and often winning at Hearts or cooking sticky buns. Her sense of adventure led the extended family on many vacations during which she relished in the energy and excitement of a bustling and often hectic household. Terry had a brilliant and warm smile that remained throughout the last days of her life.
She is survived by three daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Peter Hammer, Mary and Tom Werner and Holly and Ken Riehl; six grand children Jennifer Sarah Tharrington, Scott Wells Drorbaugh, Jacob Leonard Hammer, Eliza Drorbaugh Hammer, Cooper Dunn Riehl and Nathaniel Scott Riehl; two sisters Henrietta Johnson and Posie Dauphine with whom she enjoyed strong relationships and several nieces and nephews whom she cherished. Terry was predeceased by her husband, Leonard, daughter, Terry Ellen Drorbaugh and son, Scott Drorbaugh.
Her family would like to thank the community of Boston’s North Shore who welcomed Terry and Len graciously to Essex, more than ten years ago always offering a friendly smile, kind word, dynamic conversation and warmth, the congregation at the First Congregational Church of Essex who became Terry and Len’s church family supporting them through good times and bad and the caregivers of TLC@Home who provided loving care through Terry’s last days.
ARRANGEMENTS: Friends and family are invited to a Celebration of Terry’s life on November 10 at 11 AM in the First Congregational Church of Essex. Arrangements by the Whittier-Porter Funeral Home of Ipswich. Private burial will be at the Spring Street Cemetery, Essex. In lieu of flowers donations may be made to a charity of one’s choice. To leave a condolence please visit www.whittier-porter.com
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