Theresa Monica Gillis Derr, 93, of Marshfield, passed away peacefully surrounded by family and friends on December 4th.

Terry, as her friends knew her, was preceded in death by her husband of 60 years, Gary Derr. She is survived by a daughter, Judith of North Carolina, and a son, Gregory of Marshfield. She has four loving grandchildren Nicholas Derr of Plymouth, Sophia Derr of Scituate, Kevin Clarkson of Burlington, Vt., and Emily Clarkson of Nantucket.

Theresa was born in South Boston July 18, 1930 to Joseph and Catherine (Doherty) Gillis, who emigrated from Ireland. She spent her childhood summers in the Brant Rock neighborhood of Marshfield in the 1930s, taking a train from Boston to Marshfield and a horse-drawn carriage to Brant Rock.

After World War II, she married Sgt. Gary Derr, U.S. Marine Corps, settling permanently near the beach in Marshfield to start a family. Once her children were old enough, Terry worked as an inspector for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, traveling throughout New England and then later for the U.S. Postal Service in Norwell, Green Harbor, Ocean Bluff, and Brant Rock.

Terry had a passion for traveling and enjoyed vacations with her husband abroad and in the United States. She was also interested in genealogy, tracing her family roots in Ireland, Scotland, and Nova Scotia. Flower gardening became a passion in her retirement. Terry loved to toil in soil with the "Seaside Gardeners" of Ocean Bluff.

Terry's greatest joy was spoiling her grandchildren with love and home cooking, teaching them her favorite recipe for rice pilaf, a closely guarded family secret. Her grandchildren endearingly called her "Yah-Yah," which always made her smile.

Many of her old friends are gone, but Terry left an impression on many who knew her as the "Window Lady" while working at the post office. She would often take moments to talk to customers at the "PO" who wanted to catch up on local happenings.

The Derr family would like to thank the caring professionals of Life Care Center of the South Shore in Scituate for their love and compassion for mom in final years.

In lieu of flowers, donations in Terry's memory can be made to: Marshfield Community Christmas, by mail to P.O. Box 713, Marshfield, MA 02050, in person to 140 Main Street in Marshfield, and online at https://www.marshfieldcommunitychristmas.com/ Terry would love knowing a child could have a happy holiday because of her in this season of giving.

Visitation will be held on Friday, December 8, 2023 from 9:00 to 11:00 a.m. and will conclude with a funeral service at 11:00 a.m. at the MacDonald Funeral Home, 1755 Ocean Street in Marshfield. Burial will be at the Couch Cemetery off Union Street in Marshfield.

For online guest book, driving directions and other helpful information please visit the website macdonaldfuneralhome.com