Teri Aronov

Teri Helene Aronov, beloved mother, sister, and daughter, and loving friend to countless others, passed away peacefully at her home in Birmingham, Alabama on February 22, 2022. She was 73 years of age. Teri was born and raised, and lived most of her life, in Montgomery. She attended Montgomery public schools and the University of Alabama. In 1969, she married Sam L. Diamond, with whom she had two children, Hilary Diamond Gewant and Marlin Diamond Saunders. Teri was also an unbelievably loving grandparent to her grandchildren Harris, Ansley, and Schuyler Gewant and Aaron and Micah Saunders.

Teri suffered for many years with the chronic, Parkinson-like, disease, Dystonia, but she did not allow it to determine the quality of her life. Rather, she focused on the good that life can bring even in the face of pain - and she lived every day with grace, dignity and courage all wrapped up in kindness and humility. Teri had an amazing ability to find the good in people and through her obvious appreciation of them to uplift their spirits. Her inner beauty, delightful charm, kindness, and generosity of spirit brought her many devoted friends and family members who returned her love in full measure.

Teri was an active supporter of the Dystonia Medical Research Foundation at Mount Sinai Medical Center in New York. Because of Teri’s determination to live her life to the fullest, and because of her optimism, hopefulness, and warm and giving personality, she was described by one of her doctors as the most courageous, kind, and lovable of all her patients. Teri was a true inspiration to other people suffering with this chronic disease and to so many others as they faced life’s challenges.

Teri was also very generous in, and supportive of, her own community. Through the Aaron and Margorie Aronov Foundation, Teri was an active supporter of such cultural and civic organizations as the Alabama Shakespeare Festival, the Museum of Fine Arts, the Montgomery Symphony Orchestra, and Montgomery Ballet. She was also an enthusiastic member of the audience at many of the events presented by these groups. Teri’s contributions to other local and regional charities were numerous and included, among many others, the Joy to Life Foundation.

For her entire life, Teri was an active member of Agudath Israel-Etz Ahayem Synagogue where she served as an officer of its Sisterhood.

Teri was predeceased by her mother and father, Aaron and Margie Aronov, and by several aunts and uncles who she loved dearly. Teri is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Hilary and Scott Gewant, by her daughter Marlin Saunders, by her grandchildren, and by her brothers Jake Aronov and Owen Aronov. Teri also is survived by many of her cousins who she considered to be like brothers and sisters.

Contributions may be made in Teri’s memory to Mt. Sinai Medical Center, c/o Aronov Realty Management, Inc., P.O. Box 23500, Montgomery, Alabama 36123.

Funeral services were held at Leak Memory Chapel on February 24, 2022.