Reaching the centennial of your birth is incredibly special. Margaret Terrey has spent the last century spreading joy and living her life to the fullest.
So for her 100th birthday, her family decided to do something very special.
Margaret Terrey grew up in Reading, Pennsylvania, and remembers her life incredibly well. The 100-year-old was born on June 17th, 1922. At 100 years old, she is still as sharp as ever but her body is not what it used to be.
“I think I can do everything, but then I hear my bones start cracking and realize I can’t,” she said about herself.
She now resides in Winston-Salem with her daughter Peggy Theobald, who cares for her elderly mother.
The 100-year-old has a lot of hobbies and interests even at this age. She likes her Christian books, and television, and always makes sure to attend the only Sunday service. She has devoted her life to religion.
The 100-year-old is a mother to five children, a grandmother to 16 grandchildren, and a great-grandmother to 24 children!
Peggy says her mother also has dozens of “adopted kids” all over the planet. Saying that everyone loved her mother because of how friendly she is. She would invite everyone over to their house for dinner or a chat.
Terrie was born Margarete Moyer and graduated from high school in 1939. Three years later, she married her husband Robert Terrey. Soon after their marriage, he joined the army and flew B-17s in WWII.
After her husband returned from war, they went ahead and started a family. The young family had to move around quite a lot as Robert struggled to find work. He eventually became a pastor and served in different churches across the States, including Minnesota, New York, Missouri, and Florida.
The family recalls that they struggled financially quite a bit. But according to the daughter Peggy, what they lacked monetarily, they made up for with the love in their household.
“She was the best ever,” Theobald said about her mother.
To help support her family, Terrey also picked up a few jobs along the way. In her life, she worked at a library, as a beautician, and also as a secretary. She would spend the money she made on her family.
Her husband passed away in 2002, after 60 years of marriage. She now resides in her daughter Peggy’s home. Her daughter converted her study into a room for her beloved mother to live in comfortably.
Terrey’s entire family is coming to town to celebrate the centennial of her birth. A big celebration is also planned in her church the next day. Her daughter is excited at all the merriment in store for her mother.
The party was a great chance for all family members to reunite. A birthday cupcake with a candle was presented to the birthday girl. Her granddaughter assisted her in blowing out the candle but Terrey was not happy about it saying, “I can do it, what do you think I’m dead.”
At which the adoring crowd laughed and reignited the candle.
On her 100th birthday, the family is celebrating Terrey with a party. Family and friends from all over are expected to come to town to celebrate, many of who haven’t seen Terrey in years.
A big celebration is also planned at her church the following day, which Terrey blew out with no assistance!
What a wonderful way to celebrate a hundred years on earth.
We at the Newsner team wish Margaret Terrey a very happy 100th birthday!
Share Margaret’s story and show everyone how inspirational her life has been.
