Teresa Howell McGarrity

Teresa Howell McGarrity died unexpectedly and peacefully in her sleep early Thursday morning, August 8, 2013. Terri was born on April 10, 1954 at Camp Pendleton, California. Born to a Marine Corps family she moved frequently throughout her young life. Upon her father's retirement, the family moved to Pensacola, Florida. In 1974 she made Tallahassee her home where Terri dedicated her career to assisting individuals with developmental disabilities. She started work in the social services field in 1976 and began work with the developmental disabilities program in 1979. She has served individuals with developmental disabilities in Florida for over 35 years. Terri had a Master’s Degree in Social Work from Florida State University and was proud to be associated with the social work profession. Most recently; Terri was the program manager of the waiver program for the Agency for Persons with Disabilities, which serves over 30,000 individuals in Florida. She had a compassionate heart and focused her efforts on seeking ways to support those waiting for services, investing many hours with individuals and their families to offer help and reassurance. Terri had a reputation as a consensus builder and was well respected by her coworkers, stakeholders and others in the field. Terri was a role model and mentor for many and exemplified passion and commitment to her work. She was instrumental in starting the Independent Support Coordination system in Florida to ensure individuals received individualized support coordination and the Supported Living program in Florida to assist individuals with developmental disabilities in moving into their own homes.

Terri loved spending time with her family, friends and dogs. She loved reading, traveling, great shoes, purses and accessories and more than anything , her life the past 10 years that she spent with her love, Billy.

Terri was preceded in death by her father, Lt. Col. Preston Howell, USMC-RT is survived by her mother, Doris Howell, sister Betsy Brou, brother-in-law, Paul Brou, niece, Natalie Brou and nephews Sam and Peter Brou, all of Pensacola. Along with her life partner Billy Solberger, Ryan and Kristine Solberger, Ray and Ashley Webb and Blair Solberger all of Tallahassee. The celebration of her life will be at 2pm on Monday, August 12, 2013 at Culley's Funeral Home, 1737 Riggins Road, Tallahassee, Florida with a visitation from 1-2pm prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family would appreciate contributions to the Terri McGarrity Social Work Scholarship. Please send checks to the Florida State University Foundation, P.O. Box 3062739, Tallahassee, FL 32306-2739, with a note in the memo line that it is for the Terri McGarrity Scholarship.