Terry Frances Neuman's Obituary
Terry Neuman passed away at home in her sleep early Tuesday morning September 9th, 2025.
Beloved wife, mother, grandmother, and collector of family in all definitions, Terry is survived by her husband Jerry Neuman, her children: Brenda Neuman-Sheldon, Brian Neuman, Bradley Neuman, Bryce Neuman, Brooke Neuman, and her seven grandchildren (she wanted 15, but you get what you get): Caspian Neuman, Evan Sheldon, Leo Jonsson, Ellis Neuman, Mara Sheldon, Erik Jonsson, and Ethan Neuman. Terry also had countless family and friends that she loved fiercely. She would never turn down an invitation to celebrate a wedding, Bnai mitzvah, birthday party, or any other life event.
Born and raised in Chicago, IL, daughter of Betty and Norman Silber, Terry was the eldest of four children. She and her siblings, Karen, Marty, and Charles, were surrounded by cousins, who they cited as their first best friends. She was the mastermind and leader of hijinks, organizing elaborate pranks, often at the expense of her Uncle Bennet. Terry was both academic and artsy, excelling in school, singing, acting, and painting throughout her childhood. Terry learned early to love watching sports, especially the Cubs and Bears, and held on to that love throughout her entire life.
Terry brought her strong, outgoing personality to Michigan State University where she was a sister of Sigma Delta Tau and graduated with a degree in advertising. Terry met Jerry on a blind date, and the rest, as they say, is history. Terry and Jerry got married shortly after she graduated, then subsequently lived in Ann Arbor, Los Angeles, and settled in Tucson, Arizona where she lived for 50 years.
Married for 57 years, Terry and Jerry were best friends, and as they often said, shared a brain. Terry said that she knew that Jerry was the one for her because she loved him more each and every day of her life. Jerry felt the same and more. The couple was constantly seeking out the next adventure, whether flying or cruising to far flung corners of the earth, driving route 66, visiting national parks, or just taking silly pictures and sharing inside jokes. They built a life together that is worthy of admiration; their home was filled with love, laughter, and an endless loop of sports on TV.
Terry raised five children and often cited young motherhood as the best time of her life. Terry was passionate about ensuring that her children had opportunities to flourish in and out of school, often making their activities her own. She was, and always will be, a band mom. Presiding over well-orchestrated chaos, scheduled meticulously on her wall calendar, Terry ensured that lunches were made and everyone got to school on-time. She juggled her children’s activities, managed carpool in a full sized van, and successfully launched her kids into adulthood.
Terry was passionate about being part of the Jewish community and education. She contributed her time and energy behind the scenes, often in unsung roles to Congregation Anshei Israel, the Jewish Federation of Southern Arizona, the Department of Jewish Education and Identity, the Bnai Brith Youth Organization, the Catalina Foothills School District, the Catalina Foothills School District Foundation, the Friends of Catalina Foothills Schools District, and the Catalina Foothills Falcon Band. Always a leader, and organized to a tee, if you wanted something done, and wanted it done with perfection, Terry was your woman.
Terry lived a well-rounded and busy life, filled with hobbies and activities – cruising the world, rooting for her teams at sporting events, attending theater performances, and dancing at concerts of all genres. Terry loved solving crosswords and word games, playing, teaching, and becoming a champion bridge player, ruling the poker table, and crushing the competition in trivia, all with Jerry, her friends and family by her side.
Above all, Terry loved her family and friends and was insanely proud of the extended mishpacha she cultivated. She will be missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, uncle, siblings, cousins, nieces, nephews, honorary children, and honorary grandchildren.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to one these charities that support causes important to Terry:
Community Food Bank of Southern Arizona
Planned Parenthood of Southern Arizona
Congregation Anshei Israel
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