DUNSTABLE, MA – Theresa (Terry) Ann English, 64, died on Sunday, September 22nd, 2024, after a brief battle with cancer. Terry must have been called home for another higher purpose as she left swiftly and far too young. She leaves behind her husband of 17 years, Archer Davis; two daughters, Lindsay Carey (Bobby) and Corinne Rogers (Cale); mother Nancy English; three siblings, John, Sheila and Dan; and three (soon to be four) beautiful grandchildren, Robyn, Jay and Ronan, whom she loved to pieces. She also leaves behind many beloved nieces and nephews, cousins, and a small army of close friends. She is predeceased by her father, Richard; stepfather Bill; and former husband Robert (Bob) Flieger.
Terry was born in Southwick, MA on July 2nd, 1960 to her parents Nancy and Richard, where she was the mischievous ringleader of her three younger siblings. She graduated Southwick High School in 1978 with an abundance of what would turn out to be lifelong friends. Terry was then called to Nasson College in Maine where she graduated with a degree in Environmental Science in 1982. Terry, being the naturalist she was, started working for the Army Corps of Engineers in 1985. Over the next few years, she welcomed her two daughters with husband Bob Flieger.
Terry was a natural at cultivating meaningful friendships. Her fun-loving spirit, generous nature, and genuine ability to empathize and connect with people was something she brought with her everywhere. Her daughters remember how she filled their house with pets and fun, the piano, good food and her knack for storytelling- especially around Halloween. Together they enjoyed no shortage of adventure: memorable family vacations abroad, road-trips through the Great American West, and explorations of countless National Park campgrounds, museums, and more. She made sure to teach her kids to ski, of course, and made many memories biking and swimming on Cape Cod with extended family.
Terry’s strong work ethic and public speaking skills earned her many accolades at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), where she worked for over 25 years. It was at the FAA that Terry met the love of her life, Archer Davis, when she was seated in the cubicle next to him in 2000. Arch got the enthusiastic approval from Lindsay and Corinne, and the fun-loving duo tied the knot walking down the aisle to “Low Rider” in 2007 in a beautiful backyard ceremony in front of friends and family. They bought a condo in Waterville Valley, where they spent many days hiking the White Mountains, arranging gatherings, and skiing.
In true Terry fashion, she packed more action into her three and a half years of retirement than most would in 20. This included backpacking in Austria, countless visits to her daughters in Colorado, concerts, cruises, sailing, enjoying Cape Cod with her family, skiing and hiking in her beloved New England, curating her dreamy backyard garden, and enjoying quality time with her siblings and friends. One of Terry’s biggest joys was being “T-Ma” to her 3 grandchildren. Her energy around them knew no bounds as she would fulfill every toddler request, taking them swimming, blueberry picking, hunting for salamanders and flowers, and reading just one more book.
With more passions and people in her life than time could fulfill, we grieve not for her in heaven but for the hole she leaves in the heart of everyone she touched. Terry’s Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 18th, 2025 in Nashua, NH. Invitations will follow. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions in her name can be made to the National Audubon Society or Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC). Please see www.McGaffiganFuneral.com
