Thelma E. Ferrari, just shy of her 96th Birthday, died peacefully June 16, 2018 at the Village at Brookfield Common. She was blessed with a long, healthy, and happy life. She fought hard to stay active even with severe arthritis in her shoulders and knees. Her loving family, friends, and the Village staff will greatly miss her. She will be remembered as a friendly, interesting, and determined Viking who told wonderful stories about her past.
Thelma was born July 5, 1922 in New York City, the daughter of the late Annie and Oscar Uhlich. She grew up in Queens, New York with her brother the late Richard Uhlich. Thelma obtained a BA degree because she believed that people should be educated. Then she obtained a Master’s degree in Education from Queens College and taught third grade in Queens.
On April 9, 1950 Thelma married John Ferrari and lived in Jackson Heights, New York where they started a family. Three years later they moved to New Fairfield and Thelma taught third grade in Brewster.
In 1960 they moved to Scarsdale, New York. It was at this time that Thelma took her mother-in-law’s advice: “Why work when you have two children.” Thelma was quite frugal and made it work. Thelma and John continued to spend their summers in New Fairfield and then retired to New Fairfield in 1995.
Thelma made many of her own clothes and took care of the family. She belonged to the Women’s Club and Newcomer’s Club in Scarsdale. She also belonged to the Sons of Norway Troll Lodge.
Thelma not only enjoyed the family, but loved her sports. As a child she was a basketball player and rode horses. She loved swimming, synchronized swimming, playing tennis, downhill and cross country skiing, tap dancing, and ballroom dancing. Thelma’s dedication to synchronized swimming and tap dancing earned her several appearances on TV.
In addition, Thelma even did the American Red Cross Challenge of 50-miles twice every summer for many years. John and Thelma were regulars at Arthur Murray’s and she continued after John’s passing until she was 92.
Thelma leaves her son John Terri Ferrari of Riverhead, Long Island; her daughter Randi and her husband Terry Sachs of Danbury; her granddaughters Morgan and Hannah; and her great granddaughter Jaelyn. She also leaves her husband’s cousin, John Ferrari of Bergenfield, New Jersey, who spent many wonderful summers with the family in New Fairfield.
A Celebration of Life service will be held July 8 at the Village at Brookfield Common at 1:30 p.m.
The Family will receive friends this Thursday evening, June 21, 2018 from 7-9 p.m. at the home of Randi and Terry Sachs, 21 Delno Drive, Danbury.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Parkinson Disease Association of Connecticut, www.apdaparkinson.org/community/connecticut/ways-to-give-ct/donate/
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