Obituary of Katherine Terry

Katherine (Sica) Terry of San Mateo, California, passed peacefully at home on October 23, 2011 at the age of 81. Katherine, who was known as Kay to all her friends and family was born on September 10, 1930 in Ukiah, California to Carlo and Virginia Sica. She is survived by her four children, Lynn Murphy, Lorene (Greg) Randich, Lisa Arbanasin and Daniel Terry, and by her four grandchildren, Robert Randich, Donald Murphy, David Randich and Mark Arbanasin. She is also survived by her sister Marie (Don) Brown, her many nieces and her nephew. She is predeceased by her parents, by her sister and brother-in-law, Theresa and Ray Poznekoff, and by her sons-in-law, Walter Murphy and Robert Arbanasin. Although born in Ukiah, her family home was in San Francisco and Kay always considered herself an honorary native San Franciscan. A daughter of an immigrant, she was also a third generation Californian on her mother's side, a fact she was very proud of. She grew up during the depression and came of age during WWII, but Kay always considered her childhood ideal. She graduated from Mission High School in 1948 and went to work at Bank of America, working in the same branch as A.P. Giannini. Kay married Halvert Terry in 1950, a marriage that lasted 29 years, and moved with him to Richmond, VA, during his service in the Navy. Returning to California, they settled in San Mateo where she raised her family. A homemaker during the 50's and 60's, Kay re-entered the workforce in 1970, working for a variety of companies, including Hughes Airwest and Fluor, and retiring as a buyer from UCSF in 1992. Kay enjoyed her career years, and the challenges that were presented to her. Kay loved to dance, laugh and have a good time. Her walks down memory lane were filled with stories about the fun times she had, trips to Ukiah, picnics with school friends in Muir Woods, Friday night dances, neighborhood block parties, going to shows with her girlfriends, and simply getting together to have lunch. She made many life-long friends, keeping in touch with them over the years and miles through Christmas cards, lunches and long phone calls. Kay will be missed by all those who knew her and enjoyed these special times with her. A celebration of her life will be held on Saturday, November 5 at 11:00 a.m. at Spangler's Mortuary, 399 S. San Antonio Rd., Los Altos, California 94022. In lieu of flowers, donations in Kay's memory may be made to the Lupus Foundation of Northern California.




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