Neva Elizabeth (Bouse) Terry
1922 -2009
Neva Elizabeth (Bouse) Terry was born in Dunbar, Nebraska to Cora (Harry) and Orville Bouse. The fourth child of ten brothers and sisters grew up a survivor–with the heart and grit of the true American spirit. A child of the Great Depression riddled with polio, she refused to let her crippled legs stop her education and implored her helpful sisters to carry her to school. With the same fighting spirit, she miraculously willed her crippled legs to walk. Under her editorial leadership, the small, rural school paper won the award as best high school newspaper in the state of Nebraska. Neva went on to University of Nebraska School of Nursing, graduating at the top of her class and serving as class vice president of the University of Nebraska’s School of Nursing. At the dawn of World War II, Neva met the love of her live, Buck Terry, who later became her husband of over 50 years. While he fought in the Pacific, she became head nurse of Sacramento General Hospital’s Neonatal Department at just eighteen.After the war, the rugged Idaho beauty lured the couple to Boise. There, raising three children, she earned a reputation for being as protective of her kids as she was of her coveted recipes for Boston cream pie, and as the loudest, yet most-committed, choir alto at The First Presbyterian Church.Escaping Idaho’s winters to retire in Phoenix, Neva became a top-flight, trophy-winning leader of her “dirty-dozen” golfing gang. She served the stiffest margaritas, finished even the most challenging crossword puzzles and stitched inspired wall art. Her heaven? Reading a good book, sipping a chilled Riesling, and spying hummingbirds flitting through her Aspen grove in Flagstaff.She is survived by her children, Colleen Bell of Fairfield, Iowa; Tim Terry of Boise; Tina Terry of Bellevue, Washington; grandson, Nathan Scott of Seattle and granddaughter, Kera McCandless of Bellevue, along with son-in-laws, Jett MCCandless and Kerry Bell. Also surviving are sisters, Hazel Presley, Wanda Meyers, Rene Schacktebeck, Betty Gutt, and Doris Leman. She was preceded in death by her husband, Buster K. Terry, sisters, Faye Trembley and Lena MacNeill, and brothers, Charles and Jack Bouse. The family would like to thank the staff at Wynwood Assisted Living and Open Hearts for Hospice for their outstanding, heartfelt service
“Perhaps, they are not stars in the sky, but rather openings where our loved ones shine down to let us know they are happy. ~ Eskimo Legend
Condolences for the family may be submitted online at www.CloverdaleFuneralHome.com
