Mary Lucille O'Leary Terry's Obituary
Mary Lucille O'Leary Terry
Land Developer, Rancher, and Proud Native Texan Beloved Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Friend
The Terry family celebrates the life and legacy of their matriarch, Mary Terry, who passed away peacefully on December 13, 2021 surrounded by her family.
Mary was born to Jack and Mary Helen (nee Hess) O'Leary in Marfa, Texas, on November 10, 1923. In Mary's early years, her grandparents mostly raised her. In a fitting Texan tale, Mary's grandfather was a deputy sheriff in Marfa, so Mary resided with them in the living quarters of the jail. Her grandmother fed the prisoners through a large hole in the kitchen.
After graduating from Brackettville High School, Mary moved to El Paso where she worked as a switchboard operator, a finance assistant at Fort Bliss, and at a local loan office. It was here she met her future husband. According to Mary, "it was love at first sight. I never quit loving Don Terry my whole life."
Mary and Don began their entrepreneurial journey. They bought a dry-cleaning business in El Paso through the GI bill. Later they returned to Dallas and began work as land developers in Lancaster. Don sold the houses that Mary decorated after she took a mail order course on interior decorating. Eventually they bought their dream home in Preston Hollow, becoming neighbors with Mary Kay Ash. Don and Mary travelled the world, and were among the first tourists to go to China when it opened to the West in the early 1970's.
After her beloved husband passed away in 1991, Mary embarked on another business venture when she purchased eight hundred acres near· Commerce, Texas. What began as land with a rickety barn, a broken-down homestead, and no livestock became a ranch with 300 head of cattle. According to Mary, "ranching is hard work, and it is constant. If you don't have a dead cow, then you have a sick horse. It was a busy life, but I loved it." Mary ranched for over 25 years. She was a member of the National Register's Who's Who in Executives and Professionals.
Mary is preceded in death by her husband of 47 years, Don; her brother Frank; and her grandson Chip. She is survived by her son Don (Brenda) of Ennis, her daughter Susan of Coppell, and her brother Ray Atkinson of Idaho. Additionally, she is survived by her grandchildren Mary Stewart (Andy), John Woodward (Leslie), Matt Terry (Laura), Ray Thompson (Yvette), and Devin Jackson (Julie) as well as six great-grandchildren.
A service will be held December 22, 2021, 10:00 AM at Restland Funeral Home's Wildwood Chapel in Dallas. In honor and remembrance of Mary, donations may be made to Our Watch (www.ourwatchtx.org) or Assist the Officer Foundation (www.atodallas.org)
In Mary's own words:
"I have two words that I never use: fear and if. Some people have so much fear that they never have any fun. I don't wait to see 'if' something happens before doing what needs to be done. Be proactive. 'If' is an iffy word."
"You are never too old to do. You must have something to look forward to, goals, and someone to love. You have to accomplish something each day, even if it is just mopping the floor."
"You make your own life. I've been very fortunate. If I had my life to do over, I'd do it the same."
Condolences may be offered at www.RestlandFuneralHome.com
To view Live-Stream please click on Link: http://webcast.funeralvue.com/events/viewer/65479
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