Stories
Terri: A Life Well-Lived Is a Legacy of Joy
A congenital heart defect—only three chambers instead of four— did not stop Terri from living her life fully. In fact, she may have lived her 26 years that much more fully, ever mindful that each day was a gift to be treasured and shared.
Terri was just five days old when she underwent an arterial shunt placement and eight years old when that procedure was repeated. Despite these health challenges, Terri strove to stay active. She rode her bike with friends when young. In high school, she lettered in volleyball as her team's manager. She was academically-focused and earned a bachelor's degree in International Business from Minnesota State University Moorhead.
Terri went on to nurture two simultaneous career paths, one in customer service at 3M and one as a Mary Kay salesperson, before becoming ill in her mid-twenties. Her illness required many hospitalizations, and ultimately resulted in Terri's name being placed on the waiting list for a heart transplant.
Although Terri rose to number one on the transplant waiting list, she died of congestive heart failure while still awaiting a donor heart.
None knew better than Terri and her family the value of organ, tissue, and eye donation. So, when Terri lost her own fight, she became a tissue and eye donor to help others. Terri's donation provided tissue for many life-saving and life-altering surgeries. Her gift of sight blessed two people who received cornea transplants.
Terri's generous gifts of life and sight fourteen years ago will long be cherished and remembered by many grateful recipients and their families.
Terri was an inspiration to her co-workers, both at Mary Kay and at 3M.