Terry Ellen Petell (84) left us peacefully on September 5th, and was ushered into the presence of Jesus, while she was surrounded by her loving family and dearest friends in her beloved home on Sunshine Avenue in Lee, Massachusetts. She had lived in this home for over fifty years, and raised her family within its walls. Her husband of sixty years, Mark R. Petell was at her bedside in her final hours, as were her four daughters, Patti Vietri (Joe), Barbara Petell, Holly Petell, and Naomi Rhoads (Rick).

Terry lived most of her life in Berkshire County, having been born in Great Barrington to Nicholas and Areitta Trierweiler on November 14, 1941. She was lovingly raised by Gennie Goodnow of Stony Creek, New York during her girlhood and into her adult years. She lived at New England Keswick Christian Camp in Monterey, Massachusetts during her teen years and would often recount stories of this time with great fondness and humor. After growing up in the country, she headed out to the big city of Chicago, to attend Moody Bible Institute. Then it was off to Boston to continue her studies at New England Baptist Hospital where she became a registered nurse.

In 1966 she married Mark, whom she had known from her youth at New England Keswick. When asked if they were childhood sweethearts, she always responded with resounding "No!", but love grew, and they remained married until her death, and had only recently celebrated their sixtieth wedding anniversary. Together they raised their four girls, made a home, and served others in their community, especially through their church. A special point of pride was their ten grandchildren, and the host of great-grandchildren that had come throughout her later years. Terry never missed a chance to give an update on all of their doings, and that was a lot!

Hope Church in Lenox, Massachusetts became their second family for forty-five years. Terry hated to miss any chance to attend worship or fellowship times with the people who were so dear to her heart. She loved to share the love of Jesus with all of the young people, but most especially the smallest ones. She never passed up the opportunity to pause and chat with them about their little lives.

In the local community Terry was also well known and loved. Whether she was running errands or enjoying breakfast at Joe's Diner, she was always being approached by people that knew her from all the years she worked as a nurse, teacher, and caregiver. She had "kids" of all ages, all over Berkshire County. Every one of them had a story or memory to share. She never met a stranger and could chat with anyone. Her motto was "cold hands, warm heart" because she believed everyone was her friend, and that they needed a pair of hand knitted mittens, which she could whip up at lightning speed. If you looked a little skinny she would throw in a casserole or a coffeecake. If you didn't live close by anymore, she would send you newsy letters and cards to keep you in the loop and let you know you were not forgotten.

Terry was a busy lady, always seeking out new adventures, even as she moved into her retirement years. She was often found perusing cookbooks for new recipes to try, and knitting patterns for new projects. At the age of sixty she took up learning to play the fiddle, and even pushed herself to participate in a local competition. She always said it was one of the scariest things she ever did. She loved life and so much in it. She never encountered an animal she didn't pause to shower with affection. She loved everything about Christmas and would listen to Christmas albums midsummer, just because they made her happy. She loved blueberries and peppermint, good books, and everything about Autumn. But no matter how full her hands could be, she never missed a chance to sit down and hold a baby.

A memorial service will be held at Hope Church in Lenox on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 11:00. In lieu of flowers, the family has asked for donations to be made to Africa Connect, and can be do so by visiting africaconnect.org

Africa Connect
Web: http://www.africaconnect.org