Nancy Terry Harris Beresford

Terry Beresford died April 27, in Alexandria, VA at the age of 84. Terry was arguably the most significant innovator in the field of abortion counseling from the very beginning of legal abortion provision in this country. She made monumental contributions to the quality and compassion of abortion care in the United States. Terry was one of the founders and a president of the National Abortion Federation; she received its Christopher Tietze Humanitarian Award in 1989. Over a period of 25 years, she held a variety of positions in family planning and counseling, including Director of the Preterm Center for Reproductive Health in Washington, DC, and Director of Counseling at Planned Parenthood of Maryland. She provided consultation, training, and organizational development for family planning and abortion clinics, as well as national and state reproductive rights organizations, throughout the U.S. Terry wrote numerous articles, pamphlets, and manuals about pregnancy, abortion, and family planning counseling, including the indispensable “Short Term Relationship Counseling,” still in use as a reference.

Terry was married to John C. Beresford (deceased 1995) and is survived by her brother John Harris of Carmel, CA, daughter Alison Beresford of Alexandria, VA, son Rod Beresford of Providence, RI, and grandchildren Geoffrey Beresford of Tiverton, RI and Sarah Beresford of New York, NY. She leaves a wide circle of dear friends, colleagues, and admirers, who will always miss her wisdom, elegance, wit, formidable bridge play, and terrific listening. A celebration of this most remarkable and unforgettable woman and her well-lived life is planned for later this year.

Arrangements under the direction of Demaine Funeral Home, Alexandria, VA.