Grace Marguerite Terrell

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Our loving Mother, Grace Marguerite Terrell, age 93, passed away peacefully with her family by her side on March 13, 2025.

Mom was born in 1931 on the kitchen table of her Grandparents home in Buhl, Idaho to Bill and Emma Johnson.

Grace learned to play the violin at a young age from her cousin, Claire.  Mom was proud of the many years she spent as the first chair second violin for the Boise Philharmonic playing beautiful music.  We enjoyed listening to her practice at home by the piano.  Our home was always filled with beautiful music.

She graduated from Twin Falls High School as Salutatorian in 1949, then studied Chemistry at Idaho State University.  Grace married Russ Storrs in 1950 in Twin Falls, Idaho.  They had four children together: Cherie, Brad, Pam, and Valerie. They lived in Idaho and Utah, finally settling down in Boise, Idaho to raise their family in 1961.  They divorced in 1970.

She was a devoted mother who made sure we never wanted for anything.  She served us delicious, nutritious meals.  She spent a lot of time waiting in the car reading a book while we finished one event or another.  She encouraged good scholarship and helped us to succeed not only in academics, but also in our extra-curricular musical, athletic, and scouting activities.

Mom taught by example. She was always polite, considerate and thoughtful with a kind, generous, and loving spirit.  She encouraged us to treat each other with kindness and “not to make waves”.  Fighting and unkind words were not tolerated.  Even near the end of her life, she brought great joy to those around her with her radiant smile, sparkling eyes, gentle ways, and sense of humor.  She always had a kind word and comforted those around her.

Mom started working as a Medical Technologist in the Laboratory at St Alphonsus Hospital in 1965, when her youngest started Kindergarten.  Her favorite areas to work were blood bank and bacteriology.  She retired in 1989 after 24 years of dedicated service.

Grace had an entrepreneurial spirit.  She and her long-time friend, Maxine, enjoyed running a couple of side businesses to supplement their income.  They purchased and wrapped gifts for other people; as well as baking, packaging, and selling delicious cookies.  The gifts she gave were always perfectly wrapped with those special touches that made them extraordinarily beautiful.

She married the love of her life, Warner Terrell in1974.  They spent 46 happy years together entertaining, traveling, and volunteering before he passed away.  Here are a few highlights of their travels: Mom and Warner drove the Alaska Highway, cruised Alaska and the Caribbean, attended the 1984 Olympics in Los Angeles and the 1974 Spokane World’s Fair, visited Hawaii; among many other adventures near and far.

Giving back to others through charitable works and volunteering was a very important part of Mom’s life. She supported several charitable causes, volunteered with many Church and Community organizations.  She took great joy in helping those less fortunate than herself.

Grace had many hobbies. She taught us girls to sew.  She made beautiful counted-cross-stitch items to share, some of which took over 200 hours to complete.  She designed colorful flower beds full of beautiful blossoms.  She loved to cook and entertain family and friends. She was an avid reader, sometimes finishing a book a day. 

Mom always had one or more pet dogs throughout her life until she moved into a care center after her last doggy friend passed away.  They were a very important part of her life.

She was preceded in death by her husband, Warner; daughter, Cheryl; and two great-grandchildren, Andrew and Robyn.

She is survived by her son, Brad (Kris) and daughters, Pam (Terry) and Valerie (Keith), 13 grandchildren, 27 great-grandchildren, 3 great-great-grandchildren, plus many nieces, nephews, and cousins.

A special thanks to her caregivers at Foxtail Senior Living Memory Care for taking excellent care of her and making her feel at home for the last two years of her life.  You are amazing.