Theresa Marie Gehm

January 9, 1933 ~ October 30, 2024

Theresa Marie "Terry" Gehm of Setauket, NY, passed away peacefully on October 30, 2024, at the age of 91. Born as Theresa Smith on January 9, 1933, in Pueblo, Colorado, she moved to New York City shortly after graduating from Centennial High School, following in the footsteps of her older sisters. In 1953, she married Fred Gehm and soon settled on Long Island, where they started their family.

Terry earned both her bachelor's and master's degrees from SUNY Stony Brook. She was a devoted elementary school teacher in the Three Village School District for 20 years, touching countless lives with her dedication and kindness. Her lifelong calling was to help those in need, especially the voiceless. A favorite quote of hers, which guided her actions, was from St. Mother Teresa: “Not all of us can do great things, but we can do small things with great love.”

A passionate advocate for mental health, Terry was an active member of NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). She published a comprehensive reference guide to assist families facing mental health crises, a resource that proved invaluable to both families and professionals. Her mission was to help others see the person, not the illness, and to challenge the stigma often associated with mental health.

Terry was also a lover of nature, finding beauty in everything from the changing seasons, sunsets, and foggy mornings to the red foxes that occasionally crossed her property. She had a strong passion for politics and was a tireless campaigner for candidates who she believed would support the most vulnerable members of society. Family was central to her life, and she remained closely connected to her daughter, sisters and extended family.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents, Anthony Smith and Andrea Guerrero, and her siblings, Ernest Smith, George Smith, Victoria Scappini, Kathryn Galves, and Virginia Smith. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Joan and Wade Ewers, and their children: Ross Ewers, Santana, and her husband Allan Schoenfeld, all residing in Knoxville, TN. She is also survived by her son, Fred Gehm of Long Island, NY; her sisters, Shawnee Chambre of New York City and Anita Smith of San Francisco, CA; as well as many beloved nieces, nephews, and friends.

A Mass in her memory will be held at St. James Roman Catholic Church in Setauket on December 12th at 10:45 AM. Following the service and inurnment, friends and family are invited to a reception at Terry’s home in Setauket to celebrate her life and legacy.