Terri Lynn Stefani

Terri Lynn Stefani, 74, of Merced, California gained her angel wings on June 8, 2025. Terri was born March 23, 1951 in Eureka, California to Hubert and Celia Nelson. She was the youngest of three children; the baby to her older brothers Gregg and Rodney. She discovered a love of dance early and performed in many dance recitals and pageants including the Miss Humboldt County pageant where her beauty and grace won her first runner up in 1969. She married her first husband, Mike Cantrell, in 1971, and the pair relocated to Merced for Mike’s armed forces career while Terri worked for the Merced City School District. After several years of marriage, Terri and Mike divorced and a little while later Terri met her second husband, Larry Stefani.

Larry and Terri married in February of 1979 and stuck with each other through better and worse for 46 years. Terri became stepmom to 4 children from Larry’s first marriage and they would also have 2 children of their own. Terri was very active in the lives of her children and community. She was an active parent at Our Lady of Mercy school where she volunteered many hours in the kitchen cooking delicious meals. She also was a member of the Hospital Assistance League (H.A.L) helping raise money for local hospitals and provide scholarships for students. She often performed in the H.A.L Follies, a musical revue fundraiser that combined the singing and dancing talents of local artists and performers. Terri loved the performing arts and when a family friend opened Merced’s first community theater in 1994, she enjoyed taking a variety of roles in many productions both on the stage and behind the scenes.

In her later years, Terri enjoyed spending time with her 14 grandchildren watching them grow up and do amazing things! She loved to garden growing a large vegetable garden every year and use her creative talents to decorate the family home with her long-time bestie Teresa. She was a very strong woman who loved her family fiercely and was always willing to do anything for anyone who needed it. She beat cancer in 2019 and even though she continued to struggle with her health after she always made sure that she looked her best continuing to apply a full face of makeup even when stuck in the hospital. Terri is survived by her husband Larry and her 2 brothers, Gregg (Coco) and Rodney (Marie). Her 2 children, Sam (Keith) and Allison (Dennis). Her 4 bonus children, Catherine (Chris), Michael, Christine (Betsy), and Carrie (Terrence). As well as her 14 grandchildren: Dominic, Gigi, Sierra, Micah, Gabriel, Jeremiah, Sadie, Kinsley, Caleb, Sienna, Sean, Jack, Kayte, and Kalven. She was very loved and she will be greatly missed by all who knew her!

Terri’s funeral services will be held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025 at 1:00 p.m. at Stratford Evans Merced Funeral Home (1490 B Street, Merced, California, 95341) with a reception following in the reception hall.