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MARY TERRELL Obituary
FEBRUARY 17, 2013
Mary Ruth Terrell, a longtime Santa Fe resident, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, died Sunday following a series of illnesses she suffered after breaking her hip in early January. She was 83. Born Mary Ruth Clift during the Great Depression in Oklahoma City, she was an accomplished equestrian in her youth and an avid reader. Mary Ruth and her family moved to Santa Fe as a teenager in the 1940s. She graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1947. She attended classes at the University of New Mexico and Ward-Belmont College in Nashville, Tenn.
Mary Ruth moved back to Oklahoma City in the 1950s. She campaigned for John F. Kennedy in 1960. She was active in Cub Scouts when her two sons were in elementary school, serving as a den mother and pack mother in the 1960s. With a lifelong interest in music and theater, Mary Ruth always encouraged the creative side of all three of her children.
She later moved back to Santa Fe with her mother and her children in 1968. She began working for the state as a welfare case worker, eventually becoming a food stamp supervisor.
Mary Ruth was preceded in death by her father, C.W. Clift and her mother Ruth Schwoerke Clift. She is survived by sons Steve Terrell and Jack Clift of Santa Fe, daughter Mary Kyle of Santa Fe, grandchildren Molly Terrell Brake (husband Daniel Brake) of Austin, Texas, Lauren Gee of Albuquerque and Anton Terrell of Albuquerque; and great-grandson Gideon Kilgore Brake of Austin, Texas. A memorial service will be held 10:30 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 23 at Berardinelli Family Funeral Service, 1399 Luisa St. All friends, former co-workers and anyone who knew her are welcome.
To plant trees in memory, please visit the Sympathy Store.
Memories and Condolences
for MARY TERRELL
the heff
February 14, 2022
love to the family! one of the best 4th of July's I ever had.
February 14, 2021
love to all the family.... heff
Rose Lopez-Brown
February 19, 2014
Steve & family, my condolences to you. I will keep your family in my prayers.
Gregg Marcantel
February 17, 2014
God bless you and all she left behind. May both her life and departure serve you each as a reminder of the value of life and its purpose at the moment. As always, be safe...Semper Fi.
Linda Ray
February 17, 2014
Thank you so much for letting us know this wonderful woman, and to share your loss a little. Love you, brother.
Milissa Greenberg
February 17, 2014
Steve, So sorry for your loss. She will be with you in your memories, heart and in tunes that she loved. Take care, Milissa
Bfkhodir Mirakov
March 11, 2013
My deepest condolences my brother... !!!
Chris Jones
March 7, 2013
Condolences on your loss ...it was a privilege to have known Mary Ruth for those years.
~ Chris Jones
Virginia Vigil
February 23, 2013
My condolences Steve; to you and your family!
Bev Lennen
February 23, 2013
Steve and family - my prayers are with you. gof bless and keep you in this time of loss.
Jack propps
February 23, 2013
JackClift is like my brother, has been since 1976, 37yrs ago, deepest sympathy,s to the entire family.
Jeremy Grant
February 22, 2013
From your neighboor, so sorry Steve.
Orlando Baca
February 22, 2013
I extend my deepest sympathies Steve, Molly and the rest of your family.
Mark & Barbara Ducaj
February 22, 2013
Our deepest sympathies.
February 21, 2013
So sorry to read this, Steve. My condolences to your family.
Ginger Rivera
Michael Lawrence
February 21, 2013
To Steve, Jack, and Mary:
Michael Lawrnce here to say that the guest book states that I am in Santa Fe, Alabama. I am NOT in Alabama--I am here in Santa Fe, NEW MEXICO
Phyllis McNall
February 21, 2013
I am so sorry to hear of Mary Ruth's passing. She was such a shining light to many at the old ISD office where we both worked. I'm sure that light continues to shine today. Always remember her on her best days.
gary heffern
February 20, 2013
i only got to meet you once, and i remember how kind you were to me, and you cooking for me and your beautiful sons, and putting up with us making a lot of music and noise. my sympathies go to all of your family. and your sons are some of the finest people i have ever met. thank you and bless all of you. much love from finland...heff
barb terrell
February 20, 2013
We were sorry to hear about your mom passing away. You are in our prayers.
Patsy Gonzales
February 20, 2013
My sincere condolences to the family. I worked with Mary Ruth @ HSD. It was a pleasure knowing her.
Carol and Will MacHendrie
February 20, 2013
Sorry for your loss Steve
Heidi Kwiczola
February 20, 2013
To all the family members of Mary Ruth Terrell,take this time to cherish the memories and keep them close to your heart. My condolences..
February 20, 2013
Jack and Steve: So sorry to hear of your loss. She sounds like she was a remarkable woman.
Andy Hale
Michael Lawrence
February 20, 2013
To Steve, Jack, and Mary: I have wondered over the last couple of years on what may have happen to your mother, where she was and what she was doing. I now see that she has left us.
She was my supervisor when I worked at the county welfare office back in the late 1970's and the early '80's. She left state government a few years after I left the state.
I often think about those times we spent working together. She is now very much missed.
I will not be able to attend the memorial service.
Patty Catanach
February 20, 2013
Steve, My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family at this very sad time. Hugs to you, my friend.
Theresa Zamora
February 20, 2013
Mary Ruth was my Grandma Georgia's dearest coworker and oldest friend. She called all of the time to discuss how beautiful each day was. I loved talking to her! She will be deeply missed. Sending prayers to her family!
Theresa Zamora, Georgia Tafoya and family.
Peter Eichstaedt
February 20, 2013
Sorry for your loss.
Ed Campbell
February 20, 2013
Sorry for your loss, Steve.
February 20, 2013
Steve and Jack - It is a keen moment of grief to have to let your mother go, and our thoughts are with you now. I wish I had known her. Best wishes, Cousin Henry
Tom Dillon
February 20, 2013
Jack and Steve
Sorry to hear about the passing of your mother. She was a special woman.
Orlando Medina
February 20, 2013
So very sorry and deepest of condolences. Lo siento mucho.
February 20, 2013
what sad news. maryruth was a classmate of mine and a dear friend i so respected. we shared many friends and experiences. i respected her positive and unconditional acceptance of all the challenges that one faces through the years because she was exceptional. my sympathy to her family at their loss.
KC Compton
February 20, 2013
I'm sorry to hear of your loss, Steve. Having been the beneficiary of your music and your wit, I can affirm that her desire to encourage creativity in her children was accomplished.
Tomas Moore
February 20, 2013
Jack & Steve, so sorry for your loss. Didnt realize until reading the obituary that your mom went to Santa Fe High with my mom & graduated the same year.
My condolences to all of the family. Tom "Tomas" Moore
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