Teresa Bicknell Michnowicz

Teresa (Terry) Bicknell Michnowicz, 82, of Holly Springs, passed away peacefully on October 14, 2026. She was born on June 18, 1944, in Freeport, IL, after her mother and two older siblings moved back to her hometown while her father was serving in Europe during World War II. After the war, the family settled in Huntington, WV. Terry grew up surrounded by her nine siblings and graduated from St. Joe Catholic High School. Always interested in science and math, she attended Marshall University, where she majored in physics, before leaving to work as a lab technician (and later supervisor) at American Electric Power in Huntington.

Terry met her husband of 49 years, the late Casimir (Jim) John Michnowicz, when he sold her a set of tires. They married in 1970 and had one son, James (Jim) Casimir Michnowicz, also of Holly Springs. Although she later lived in Ohio and North Carolina, she always considered Huntington, WV, to be home. She retired from American Electric Power in 2003.

Terry loved reading (especially mysteries and science fiction), doing puzzles, and playing cards with her siblings and their families. She was exceptionally generous, not only with her family but also with every charity that crossed her path. Nothing was more important to Terry than her family, and along with her sister Sally, she was often at the heart of family reunions and holiday get-togethers.

To spend more time with her family, she moved across the street from her son, her daughter-in-law, Stephanie Price Michnowicz, and her two grandchildren, Alexander (Alex) Casimir Michnowicz and Claire Victoria Michnowicz. She happily attended every game, performance, concert, and party as the kids grew up. Terry was excited that the family music gene finally resurfaced in her grandchildren, and she was so proud watching Alex in the marching band or Claire in acapella or choral performances. She was never happier than when she was with her grandchildren.

In addition to her parents, Terry was preceded in death by her husband, Jim, and her siblings Marie (Sally) Ratliff and John Bicknell.

She is survived by her son, daughter-in-law, two grandchildren, and seven siblings: Lawrence (Larry) Bicknell, Robert (Bob) Bicknell, James (Jim) Bicknell, Jerome (Jerry) Bicknell, Virginia (Ginny) Bicknell, Daniel (Danny) Bicknell, and Elizabeth (Betsy) Jarrell, along with numerous nieces, nephews, grandnieces, and grandnephews.

The family will receive friends and guests on Wednesday, October 28, 2026, from 6:00 PM to 8:00 PM at Apex Funeral Home. A funeral Mass will be held on Thursday, October 29, 2026, at 11:00 AM at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Apex, with burial to follow at Montlawn Memorial Park at 2:00 PM in Raleigh, NC.

In lieu of customary remembrances, memorial contributions may be made to Catholic Relief Services or the Holly Springs Food Cupboard.

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