It is with great sadness that the family of Terry Leah Adamic (nee Olsen) of St Albert announces her peaceful passing on April 14, 2023 after a short but courageous battle with cancer. Terry will be greatly missed by her husband Bob, daughter Tyra (Jordan), son Turner and an extensive group of friends. Predeceased by her mother and father, Terry is survived by her sisters Tracy, Shelley and Sherry, and her nieces and nephews.
The second oldest of the four “Olsen girls”, Terry was raised in Burnaby B.C. Athletic and popular, she enjoyed family vacations, Girl Guides and driving her Chevy Vega. Terry always possessed a keen fashion sense and later enjoyed directing that creative flair into home decorating and home renovations. She began working for the Hudson Bay Company in her teens where, after graduating from UBC with a degree in Commerce, she became a manager. During her career Terry ended up working at numerous Bay stores in the Vancouver and Edmonton areas. After raising her children Terry later also greatly enjoyed her time working and helping organize the St Albert Children’s Festival.
Terry was a devoted, loving mother to Tyra and Turner. Always proud of them and their accomplishments, she dedicated her time and energy to their education and extracurricular activities. She was a leader on the Parent Advisory Councils at their schools and a staunch advocate for the inclusion of all abilities in schools and the workplace.
Holidays were important to Terry and she would always make sure to get her extended family and friends together for them. Halloween and Christmas in particular were special times of the year for her. Terry would convert the house into a veritable haunted mansion at Halloween. At Christmas, her extensive collection of over 300 nutcrackers from around the world would transform the house into a truly magical place for all! She would preside over family and friends in the always hilarious and competitive “Gingerbread House” contest that over the years took us from Star Wars, to remote locations in Japan and Palm Springs, and interactive crime scene investigations!
Terry will be remembered for her sense of design and creative talent that always turned simple dances and parties into “events”. She was passionate about organizing social functions for others and in particular the St Albert Special Olympic dances. She took great pride and satisfaction expressing her creative nature by creating amazing decorations on shoestring budgets!
In keeping with Terry’s wishes there will be no service. In lieu of flowers, those wishing to remember Terry are asked to make a donation to the Cross Cancer Institute, 11560 University Avenue, Edmonton, Alberta, T6G 1Z2.
