M. “Carmelita” (Hood) Terrell
April 30, 1931 - March 12, 2022
It is with great sadness that the Terrell family announces the death of M. “Carmelita” (Hood) Terrell, age 90, of Newark, DE, on Saturday, March 12, 2022 after a long illness.
Born and raised in South Central Kansas on April 30, 1931, to the late Vernon and Ellen Margaret (Berrigan) Hood. Carmelita graduated from Marymount College in Salina, Kansas in 1953. That same year she married her husband, Jim Terrell. Five children were born to their union.
The family moved from Claflin, Kansas to Newark, Delaware in 1964. Carmelita taught 28 years in Cecil County schools. She spent 24 of those years teaching first graders to read. After retiring in 1995 Carmelita enjoyed traveling with Jim, family events, and maintaining the family photo albums.
In addition to her parents, Carmelita was preceded in death by her daughter, Denise. She is survived by her beloved family, Jim, her husband of 69 years; son, Michael; daughters, Catherine (Lee Sellers), Rosanne Mahaney, and Christine (Kenneth Hunter); grandchildren, Jamie Harpe (Joshua), Victoria Cikanek (Tracy), Joseph Mahany (Lisa), Greg Hunter, Erik Hunter and Nicole Dresen (Scott); and great grandchildren, Alyssa and Kelsey Harpe, TJ and Grace Mahaney.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be offered at 11:30 am on Friday, March 18, 2022, at Holy Family R.C. Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE. Interment will be held privately.
In lieu of flowers, contributions in Carmelita’s memory can be made to the Needy Family Fund c/o The News Journal, 950 West Basin Road, New Castle, DE 19720 or to Holy Family Catholic Church, 15 Gender Road, Newark, DE 19713.
Joanne
My sincere condolences. It was an honor to care for her if only for a short time . I will never forget Mr Terrell’s love and dedication to his wife. It was a beautiful thing to witness ❤️
David & Barbara Runkle
Dear Michael and Family,
We are so sorry to hear of your Mother’s passing. Even though we did not know your Mother personally, from reading her story, we can tell she was a wonderful, kind person. We know she will be missed.
Dave & Barb
John Balaun
Carm is missed. In fact, the many years that we were separated by so many miles were times of not being in the warmth of her company. I was four years younger than Carm and for the first years of my life we lived many miles apart and our families visited infrequently. When her mother, Ellen, died. Carm came to live with us. It seems she was in high school, I still in grade school. We lived in the same household for a few years. During this time Carm, my older brother Joe, and I were taken by My aunt and uncle to their fishing cabin in the Colorado Rockies for some days. Later, Carm, being a good pianist, accompanied Joe, for a music competition and they received the highest rating. There were good times but also others, and I know that Carm did suffer some hurt that in this day I deeply regret. She always willingly gave. Then came Jim Terrell. Carm completed college and Carm’s life was whole. The kids that they raised are a reflection of the goodness that has always been within Carm and Jim. They have all been special people within my life.
Rose Anne
Just wish to say sorry to all her family that they will no longer have her on this side but I like to think there was welcoming celebration in the afterlife for Carm. I think of the family who have passed on who would welcome her….. I remember the wonderful times and that there always seemed to be love there with Carm. Carm was my godmother. Rose Anne B.
Rose Anne
PS and with Carm you were always finding another talent and ability that even at 90 was new and surprising ….the family albums were “special” and creative…the piano, the sewing all a high-level of ability and not much made of the accomplishment…focus on relating…