MARY E. "TERRY" GUNTHORP

GUNTHORP, MARY E. "TERRY" The family of Mary E. "Terry" Gunthorp announces her passing on October 29, 2009, after complications from a yearlong battle with cancer. Terry was born in Louisville, Kentucky, on May 9, 1922. She was raised by her grandmother on a farm in Kentucky until she was kidnapped by her uncle and taken to live with her mother in Hollywood. She spent the rest of her life in California. In 1945, Terry enlisted in the Army and served for a year as a medical technician, working at a military hospital in San Francisco. Following her military service, she worked as an actress. Her starring role was at a Hollywood Dinner Theater, where she was the lead in the play, "The Blackguard." Terry was a homemaker for a number of years, raising her four children in Lake Arrowhead, Coronado, and Nestor. In 1979, she and her husband, Bob, established a Mercedes Benz automotive business, Onager Corporation, where she served as the Office Manager and co-owner until her illness forced her to retire in 2008. Terry loved to travel, and with her husband and family members visited Brazil, Australia, Denmark, France, and Hawaii. Her favorite vacations were riverboat cruises with her family. She was a member of the Mercedes Benz Club, San Diego Section, and served on the Board of Directors. In addition, she was honored as the first woman ever to serve as Section President of the Mercedes Benz Club, USA. She was also a member of the Antique Automobile Club of San Diego. Terry and Bob shared a love of cars and participated in numerous car rallies, car shows and parades. Her favorite parade was the Coronado Fourth of July Parade, where she could be seen riding in her '57 red Mercedes convertible in her famous flowered hat, smiling and waving to the crowd. Terry is survived by her husband of 43 years, Bob, of San Diego; her four wonderful children, Roberta Mahanay (Carl) of Imperial Beach, Donald Kidd (Arlene), Gary Kidd, and William "Billy the Kidd" Kidd (Michelle) of Oregon; her five grandchildren, Debbie Eide, Charles Soderbery (Vickie), Donald Brick (Wendi), Mitchell Kidd and Shannon Kidd, and her two great-grandchildren, Jessica Eide and Shelly Soderbery, and numerous extended family and friends. Friends and family are invited to a celebration of Terry's Life/ Reception, which will be held on November 21, 2009, from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at the Coronado Golf Course Clubhouse, 2000 Visalia Row, Coronado, CA 92118. In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to one of Terry's favorite charities, San Diego Police Foundation (Canine Unit), 8910 University Center Lane, Suite 455, San Diego, CA 92122.