Therese Carroll Gannon died on May 17th, 2016 at age 82 in St. Simon’s Island, GA, of pneumonia. Known as Terry, she was born in Worcester, MA, on October 5th, 1933 to Elizabeth and David Carroll.
Terry is survived by her brothers Shaun Carroll and Kevin Carroll; their spouses Sandee and Lucy; her sister-in-law Sue Gannon; her two children John Gannon and Julie Ritchie; their spouses Mary Gannon and Jay Ritchie; and her grandchildren John Gannon, Nicholas Gannon, Lela Gannon, and Griffin Ritchie.
Terry was predeceased by her husband John “Jack” Gannon and her brother David Carroll.
Terry lived her early life in Laconia, NH, where she loved summer camp and winter sports. Terry was an avid skier who raced on many New Hampshire slopes including Tuckerman Ravine. Later in life, Terry was known for her gracefully carved turns.
Early in her career, Terry moved to New York City and met Jack on a summer weekend at a beach house. They were soon married and off on a honeymoon to Europe. Terry loved to tell stories about that trip; she and Jack really got to know each other as he drove them along the cliffs of Majorca.
Terry also met her lifelong friend Elizabeth Griffin in New York. “Aunt Elizabeth” was a regular presence at many Gannon holidays and family events.
“Soon after marriage Jack and Terry headed to upstate New York where John was born. A couple of years later they moved to Mattapoisett, MA, just before Julie’s birth.”
In 1976, frustrated by her inability to find quality toys for her children, Terry founded The Toy Box. Not many women were starting businesses in 1976, but Terry believed that the children of Southeastern Massachusetts needed better toys; she was determined to provide them.
Terry worked in the toy industry from 1976 until shortly before her death. In 2013, Terry received a lifetime achievement award from the American Specialty Retail Association for her work at the Toy Box and The Good Toy Group, an organization she helped found and led for many years with her business partner Idanna Smith.
Terry was an energetic traveler and devoted grandmother who loved to attend family events. She never hesitated to visit her grandchildren for holidays, performances, games, and graduations. Right up to her last weeks, she was planning family trips to Massachusetts, Texas, and Alaska. After 32 years in Mattapoisett, Terry and Jack moved to South Dartmouth, MA, and then St. Simon’s Island, GA. Terry loved living on St. Simon’s and had many friends on the island. Well into her 70s, Terry picked up golf and played frequently with “The Nine-Holers”. She also enjoyed playing bridge with Sue and attending weekly New England Patriots parties each Fall.
Terry’s final move was to Marsh’s Edge on St. Simon’s, where she found many new friends and activities. In typical Terry fashion, she decided herself to make the move, negotiated the purchase, sold her house, and moved across the island to her new home. Terry loved Marsh’s Edge – we are all saddened that she did not get to live there for long.
Terry lived with Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia and underwent experimental treatments that extended her life for 7 fully-active years. She elected to be a part of a clinical drug trial that has already positively impacted others’ lives.
The family asks in lieu of flowers to please consider a donation to Hospice of the Golden Isles, 1692 Glynco Pkwy, Brunswick, GA 31525. This organization is extremely important to our family and there are not enough words to express our gratitude to Hospice of the Golden Isles.
Her Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Friday, July 8th, 2016 at 10 AM at St. Anthony’s Church, Mattapoisett. Burial will follow in St. Anthony’s Cemetery. Visiting hours are omitted. Arrangements are with the Saunders-Dwyer Mattapoisett Home for Funerals, 50 County Rd., Route 6, Mattapoisett. For directions and guestbook, please visit www.saundersdwyer.com.