Born in Forest Hills, New York, she was the daughter of Italian immigrant parents, Raffaele and Maria Silvestri Perenich. Terry grew up in the Bronx, graduated from Aquinas all-girls Catholic high school and in recent years sponsored several Aquinas scholarships. In addition to her parents, Terry was preceded in death by a younger brother, Nicholas. She is survived by her long time partner, Phil Novinger, a nephew and two nieces, and her two feline pals, Lucy and Garfield.
Upon graduating from Fordham University with a degree in chemistry, Terry went to work as a medical research technician at New York Hospital. It was there that she met Dr. Bob Cade. One day while walking down the hall, Dr. Cade stopped her and asked her if she would like to move to Gainesville, Florida, help set up his lab and serve as his medical research technician. He had just accepted a position at the University of Florida Medical School, where, in addition to treating patients, he would be provided a large lab to continue his electrolyte research. Terry, who had never been to Florida, accepted the offer on the spot. Dr. Cade soon became a huge Florida Gator fan and one day mused that if our research on electrolyte depletion is successful on lab animals, why wouldn’t it be helpful to humans, specifically UF football players. Thus was the birth and the ensuing development of Gatorade.
After seven years in Dr. Cade’s lab, Terry moved on, eventually arriving at Florida State University where she earned a PhD, specializing in textile science. Following faculty positions at San Diego State University, and Kansas State University, she accepted a position as the Head of the Department of Textiles, Merchandizing, and Interior Design at the University of Georgia in1977. She retired with the rank of Professor Emeritus from the University on December 31,1999.
Terry loved to travel, especially internationally. During the past 20 years in particular, travel destinations included those in five of the seven continents, including Antarctica. She was a meticulous planner and constantly searching for new adventures. The research and organization of travel seemed at times to almost overshadow the arrival. Terry also loved writing about her travels and published several articles documenting her experiences. She also enjoyed books and after reading Susan Orleans’, The Orchid Thief, she began studying, collecting and nurturing orchids of her own, at one point maintaining nearly 100 plants.
Terry possessed great kindness, humor and was an extremely generous person who loved animals, trees, rivers, and oceans, and provided substantial financial support to scores of animal rights and preservation groups, environmental organizations, humanitarian causes including Doctors without Borders, Smile Train, Mercy Corps, and to a lesser extent, progressive political causes. She was a benefactor to several local groups, including The Athens Land Trust, The Oconee River Land Trust, Sandy Creek Nature Center, Athens Community Council on Aging, Georgia River Network and others.
Contributions in Terry’s name may be made to any of the above worthy beneficiaries.
Finally, gratitude is due the doctors, nurses and staff at St. Mary’s Emergency Room, Neurological Intensive Care Unit and St. Mary’s Hospice House who cared for her with expertise, kindness and dignity. Terry will be missed by all who had the privilege of knowing her.
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