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Obituaries » THERESE M. GRAVES
GRAVES, THERESE M. “TERRY” GREGORY, of Barre Town, passed away at her home on August 13, after a lengthy illness. Terry was born on July 16, 1932, in Rutland, to John Osborne and Rose Alba (Branchaud) Gregory Sr. She grew up in Rutland and graduated from Mount St. Joseph Academy. She married her brother’s best friend in 1954, Robert “Smokey” Graves, and they lived in Middlebury before moving to Barre in 1960. Smokey passed away on July 4, 1993. In the beginning of her marriage Terry was a stay-at-home mom, but when Smokey had a debilitating accident that required his retirement from the VT State Police, she went to work to help support their family. Terry worked at many jobs before joining National Life Insurance Co. in 1968 as a computer programmer. At the time of her retirement in 1992, she was the computer-assisted audit manager. During her years at National Life she obtained her bachelor’s degree from Trinity College, as well as several certifications – CIA (certified internal auditor), CISA (certified information systems auditor) and FLMA (Fellow of Life Management Institute). After her retirement she held various part-time jobs just to keep her busy – Flashback Photo Lab, Bredice Appraisal, and for a short time she did work for Central VT Home Health and Hospice. Terry adopted many children in her heart through her life. She made all those around her feel loved, needed and wanted. She was a member of the Rebekkah Hastings Chapter of the DAR, as well as working on several other groups such as Toastmasters, Institute of Internal Auditors, Barre Business and Professional Women’s Club, to name a few. One of the things she was most proud of was her active participation in the USS Saufley Ship Assoc., in remembrance of the destroyer on which her husband served during World War II and the Korean War. Terry acted as the secretary and as the newsletter, master list and email editor from inception in 1991 to when she relinquished the job in 2010 due to her health. Terry was an avid card player; she also loved bowling, computers, dogs, and reading, but the thing that brought her the most pleasure was her children and grandchildren. Terry is predeceased by her parents; husband; brother, John Osborne Gregory Jr.; sisters, Rosalie and Virginia Gregory; and her daughter Gloria Cooper. Survivors include children Linda Springer and her fiancé, of West Topsham, Roberta and George Van Dam, of Fernandina Beach, Fla., Gregory and Debbie Graves, of Gravette, Ark., Mary Graves, of Barre, Patricia and Kevin McCravy, of Woodbridge, Va., Joseph Graves, of Baldwinsville, N.Y., her foster son, Robert Tuthill, of South Burlington, and her beloved pets, Bubba, Max and Lily. Also, 12 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren as well as numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
