Terencia Michaels, age 75, a resident of Bradenton FL, formerly of 29 W. Howard Avenue, Dunkirk, NY, passed away Saturday, September 26, 2015, with her family at her side.
Terencia, also known to those close to her as Terry, was born on October 12, 1939 in Niagara Falls, NY. The daughter of Clarence McGarigle and Marian Inez Murphy, Terencia was the oldest of five siblings.
After the family relocated to Dunkirk, NY, Terencia graduated from Cardinal Mindszenty High School in 1957, then, pursuing her love of teaching, continued on to earn bachelor's and master's degrees in education from the State University of New York at Fredonia.
She served as a teacher in Lancaster, NY, became married to James J. Michaels in 1963, and took great pride in raising her three children, John, Timothy, and Matthew.
An avid reader, she enjoyed learning about Celtic-Irish heritage and religious studies. Terencia was an active parishioner at Saint Elizabeth Ann Seton R.C. Church, Dunkirk, and later Our Lady Queen of Martyrs, Bradenton, FL.
Throughout her life, she was always kind and generous, often helping those around her. She was a loving wife of 52 years to her husband James, an incredible mother to her three sons, and especially loved her three grandchildren.
Surviving family include her husband, James Michaels of Bradenton; three sons, John Michaels of Bradenton, Dr. Matthew J. Michaels of Montclair, NJ and Timothy and Irene Michaels of Rome, NY, along with their three children, Collin, Justin, and Caden; two sisters, Claire Bartkowiak and Paula Gill, both of Dunkirk; and one brother, Sebastian McGarigle of Bradenton, FL. In addition to her parents, she was predeceased by her brother, Sean McGarigle of Pittsford, NY.
Arrangements are by the D. Alan Moore Funeral Home, Ellenton, FL. A Mass of Christian burial will take place at Saint Martha's R.C. Church, Sarasota, FL on Thursday, October 1 at 10 a.m.
By the Observer
