I was born in Cook County Hospital in
Chicago, Illinois. Probably everyone born in any area near Chicago was
born in Cook County Hospital. When my father was pictured in a
wheelchair on the front page of the Chicago newspaper as he recovered
from a land mine exploding during World War II, well he was at
Cook. My parents moved to Kansas City, Kansas when I was a year
old and lived there until they moved to Platte County in 1961.
In 1961 we moved just
north of Riverside into Breen Hills; a home built by Jim Webb and Buford
Wales. At that time most of the area was very rural and
wooded. I loved to explore the woods and hillsides with my best
buddy Prince, our Brittany Spaniel. Prince and I were the Lewis
& Clark of Line Creek and South Platte County, pooch and pal,
explorers extradonaire! My responsibility started young, as both
of my parent's worked, which was a bit unusual at that time. I was
in charge of my younger brothers and starting meals for mom in the
evening.
I am sure that is
where my love of the outdoors started and my understanding of
responsibility for even what appear to be small tasks to others. I
remember that in one of the year books that Park Hill Jr. High did,
everyone was given a nickname, mine was "Tenacious Terry."
My husband, John, and
I have collectively 5 (yes 5) children and 4 grandsons. Our house
has always been busy and there is usually something happening any given
day. Our oldest, Natalie, graduates from nursing school on July
15, 2004, and she has three sons, Michael, Joey and Nathaniel. Then
there is Andrew, and he is a North Kansas City Fireman and works on the
HAZMAT Team. Andy and his wife, Missy, are the parents of
Ian. Then Joseph works at Faultless Starch and he and his wife,
Chrisy, keep busy with his love of dirt bike racing. Our son Chris
is not married, but dating a special lady with a daughter, Amie and
Beth. I believe things are looking up to having a granddaughter! Chris
is a teacher and the head coach in Versailles, Missouri. Our
youngest, Paula, is engaged to Tommy and after he graduates from law
school they will be married in August 2005.
John and I have many
things we enjoy together. We love camping, bicycle riding, going
on long vacations on our motorcycle and gathering with our family and
friends. We have ridden many times in the MS150 and MDA bicycle
rides and have enjoyed those rides together. I love to cook, inside or
outside, and I collect cook books and first edition culinary
mysteries.
In my job at the
Public Administrator's Office I am involved in many organizations that
connect and support the people this office serves.
I belong to:
For my community
interests, I belong to:
-
Riverside
Chamber of Commerce
-
Parkville
Chamber of Commerce
-
Platte City
Chamber of Commerce
-
Northland
Symphony Sponsor
-
Northland
Democratic Club
-
Platte County
Federated Women's Democratic Club
My commitment to
my job, my community and my family flow deep in my heart and are
always a part of who I truly am. I am always available to my
family and my community and I know the services and demands of the
Public Administrators Office. As I have said
already; "This is work that I love and if you will forgive me
for saying so, work that I do well."
I do not seek
this position as a job that is a stepping stone to other jobs. This is a
job that requires compassion, integrity, dedication and humility. I am
on call 24 hours a day, seven days a week, even during the weekends and
holidays. I am always available to those who rely on this office
for care.
