IN MEMORIAM Terry W. Ibbotson (AKA Evans)                                                     1/22/29-1/2/26

"If you can keep your head when all about you are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you but make allowances for their doubting too...Yours is the earth and everything that's in it". (excerpt from "If, A Father's Advice to his Son" by Rudyard Kipling). This was Terry's favorite poem which conveys the importance of strength and perseverance.

Terry was born in Old Forge, N.Y. to Joseph J. White from Brushton, N.Y. and Elizabeth Goff (AKA Lizzie) from Santa Clara, N.Y. As a child, she enjoyed time frolicking in the Adirondacks swimming, ice skating and log rolling on Old Forge Pond. Her love of nature continued throughout her life. Terry's mother died when she was only 13. When she turned 1 6, she moved on her own to Utica, N.Y. There, due to her poise and beauty, she easily found jobs modeling. She was voted second place in The Miss Teen Utica Pageant. She also worked for a drugstore a couple doors down from the office of Dr. Edward G. Evans. He became enamored with her and they wed in 1951. They traveled to Europe on The Queen Mary and spent time in London where Ed was taking post graduate classes in tropical medicine. Terry was a homemaker and raised five children, maintaining an immaculate home in South

Utica. She was an excellent cook, apricot glazed ham and beef roast were her specialties. Her creativity abounded, oil painting, decorating and gardening. She arranged beautiful floral arrangements. Growing nasturtiums was a favorite pastime. She loved to see the hummingbirds nectaring on them. The family spent time in Remsen on the Evans property or in the Old Forge region where the White family had cabins. They enjoyed memberships in The Sadaquada Golf Club. Being members of The Fort Schyler Club, it was there that they enjoyed holiday dinners with the entire Evans clan.

As the children aged and she and Ed divorced, Terry had a yearning to be active in her community. Initially, she volunteered at the The Junior League store. She went on to help The Utica Symphony League becoming president and chair of the board of directors. She took classes at Utica College and through the American Symphony Orchestra League to learn symphony management. This provided a natural segue to obtain the position of executive director of The Utica Symphony Orchestra. She held this position for 21 years, retiring in 1997.During her tenure there, she was a community leader. The media took note of her accomplishments and interviewed her for radio, television and The Observer

Dispatch. Her intelligence and articulate conversations impressed all. Terry served on The Utica Chamber of Commerce, was on the board of The Women's Council of the American Orchestra League and director of The Volunteer Council of the American Orchestra League.

She was also elected to be president of The Civic Musical Society. She enticed such artists as Tony Bennett, Maureen McGovern and Doc Severinsen (who sent her roses!) to join with the orchestra for concerts. A feat she was proud of was to parade Arthur Fieldler down Genesee St. in a borrowed antique fire engine. He was delighted as antique fire engines were one of his hobbies. As she retired, Terry said, "After you spend 21 years eating and sleeping for the symphony, you have to get on with your life". She received The Golden Baton Award for her outstanding support of the symphony.

And get on with life, she did! She went on to marry Myron T. Ibbotson, residing in Utica on Sherman Drive. She supported Myron throughout his health challenges. Despite such, they were able to travel to the West coast to visit with three of Terry's children. After Myron died, her inquisitive nature led her to travel throughout the world, at times with family but mainly ventured out on her own. She maintained homes in Naples, Florida and New Hartford, N.Y.  Active with The Tramp and Trails Club, she enjoyed hiking in The Adirondacks. Her love of schnauzers developed after adopting baby Fendi. She went on to successively acquire Ty and Charlie who were her faithful companions and protectors. She loved watching the birds at home, especially the "baby" cardinals. Once while floating down The Tweedsmuir River in British Columbia, she caught a bald eagle feather drifting down from a tree. The guide told her that the First Nations people saw her capture as a sign of good luck. She was thrilled and took that feather home with her. Perhaps that is why she survived nearly 97 years! (of note, her children have tested positive for indigenous blood which was no doubt passed down by Terry).

As her children aged, Terry maintained her support despite geographical distances between them. Her determination and survival skills made her a role model for them and others in her realm. She was predeceased in death by both of her husbands, siblings

Gladys, James, Edward and Gordon White, Catherine Weber as well as her beloved son

William A. Evans. Survivors are her sister Elizabeth Niemetz of Woodgate, N.Y. and Sun City

Center, Florida as well as nieces and nephews. Also grieving her loss are her children Wendy Evans of Port Orchard, Wa., Edward Evans of Tijunga, Ca., Gordon Evans of New Hartford, N.Y. and Deborah Evans of Bellingham, Wa.

Terry requested to be cremated and her ashes dispersed in her beloved Adirondacks. She will then have returned home. No services planned at this time, as the family will gather to spread her remains when the mountain weather affords them access.

Special gratitude is conveyed to her son Gordon who was her caregiver for several years. His devotion continued after she was admitted to The Pines Nursing Home. Terry looked forward to his calls several times daily and frequent visits feeding her sweets and ensuring her comfort. His gentle spirit and enduring love helped Terry to survive her institutionalization.

"Oh, a-hunting we will go, a hunting we will go, We'll catch a fox and put him in a box, and then we'll let him go". From a traditional children's song, "A Hunting We Will Go" by Beatrice Schenk de Regniers. A favorite that Terry would sing to her children.

Arrangements are under the guidance of John L Matt Funeral Home, Chadwicks,NY. To send an online greeting go to :www.johnlmattfuneralhome.com