Terry Maginnis completed her 87 years on this earth, dying in her home in the early morning of Thursday, May 10, 2012, after suffering from a heart attack and stroke that occurred in December of 2011. With her at bedside were caregivers Winnsom Cohalt and Marjorie Mudahy and family members. Her daughters Mary Jo Harrison of Stone Mountain GA, Carlene Maginnis Ward Robinson of Franklin TN, and Patty Maginnis Lovett of Conroe TX have surrounded their mother with perpetual loving care and support. Her dedicated and loving sons in law, Gene Harrison, Carl Robinson, Chris Lovett and Harry Ward were a source of joy, fun and laughter for her. Her grandchildren, Sadie Elmore, husband David and great grandchildren Coleigh and Harrison of Jacksonville FL; Michael Harrison, wife Audra and great grandson Miller of Baltimore, MD; Mollie Ward of Brooklyn, NY; Dan Ward and great grandsons Kingston and Saylor Ward of Franklin, TN; and grandsons Luke and Eli Lovett of Conroe, TX also surrounded her with loving prayers and presence during these last months of illness. She was preceded in death by her parents; Arthur Leo Martin and Pansy D. (Whalen) Martin; and five brothers.
If you know anything about golf history in Gainesville, then it's very likely you've heard the name Terry Maginnis. Mama, Mom, and Mother, affectionately called by each daughter respectively, began the Ladies Golf Association at the Chattahoochee Golf Course and Club in the early 1960's. Terry is a 10 time Chattahoochee Club Champion Golfer and is noted for holding the most winnings in the Chattahoochee Golf Club history. Her last Member-Guest Championship occurred in 2006 with her favored guest Dorothy Brookshire. For many years, she was the author of Terry's Tee Talk, a local golf column courted by The Times newspaper. In these columns as well as in every day life, she was well known for her outspoken candor and humor. If she was not on the golf course, she was enjoying life with her beloved girls and their families, organizing gatherings for Riverside family and friends and the cadets whom she loved, or enjoying the warm sunshine on the southern coast of Florida. She was the fortunate wife of Col. Bill Maginnis, who served at Riverside Military Academy early in his career as football coach, later as principle and finally as superintendent. Life certainly changed for her and for all his family when he died in 1998. Still today, cadets continue to knock on the Maginnis door to reminisce about the many stories of Riverside life, a life Terry, her girls, and husband hold with tenderness and respect.
Many people have supported our family with actions and words of love and care. There are a few we would like to recognize, knowing certainly that each one of our mother's friends were very important to her and to her family. There are long time relationships with our Riverside Family who have been our rock and strength. We love you deeply. To the golfers, the women who continued to celebrate life events with our mother, your spirit of inclusion kept her in the game of golf and life. Even when she could no longer play, your presence reminded her of the love of the game. The team of caregivers, Hyacinth Lewis, Winnie Cohalt, and Marjorie Mudahy; your beautiful, happy, positive, and tender care given to our Mother was a comfort to each of her daughters. You gave her a beautiful place of light and love where she could end her life. We honor Hospice Care of Northeast Georgia Medical Center. Whitney our everyday nurse, Stephanie who regularly and tenderly bathed our mother, Monique who arranged music for mom and other support, the person who answered the phone with such efficiency, the on call nurses called at lonely hours of the night, to all Hospice employees, thank you seems small to the equivalence of care and support we experienced in the last 5 months.
Terry Maginnis enjoyed living. We ask that when you think of her to please raise a glass and with gusto say, "To Life." Her family will be joining you.
A Memorial service is scheduled for 6:00 pm Monday, May 14, 2012 at Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel, Gainesville, Georgia. Dr. Steve Brown will officiate. The family will receive friends from 5 to 6 pm Monday, May 14, 2012 prior to the service.
In lieu of flowers the family has requested donations be made to Chattahoochee Jr. Golf 301 Tommy Aaron Drive Gainesville, Georgia 30506 or Riverside Military Academy Athletic Department 2001 Riverside Drive Gainesville, Georgia 30501.
Memorial Park North Riverside Chapel 989 Riverside Drive Gainesville, GA 30501. 770-297-6200. Online condolences at www.memorialparkfuneralhomes.com
