Teresa H. “Terry” King, of Natick and Cape Cod, passed away on Monday, April 16, 2012, at Mary Ann Morse Nursing and Rehabilitation surrounded by her loving family. She was 83. Born, raised and educated in Hartford, CT, Terry was the daughter of the late Denis J. and Margaret (Kelly) Hurley. She was the sister of the late Denis J. Hurley, and her ex-husband, Francis Anthony King, predeceased her in 1999.
Terry earned her RN from Saint Francis Hospital in Hartford, where she worked with the blood bank and IV Therapy. Prior to her marriage and caring for her young family at home, she was employed as a flight nurse for military families traveling to and from England, Tokyo, Guam and Germany. During each trip she made a point of purchasing a piece of china to add to a collection she would prize for years to come.
First employed in the MetroWest area with the former Wellesley Manor Nursing Home, Terry later worked for a time with Framingham Union Hospital. It was in 1975 that her dreams came true, as her nursing career brought her to the pediatric floor of Leonard Morse Hospital. She lovingly cared for her patients while serving as night charge nurse until her retirement at age 66 in 1995. Terry spent countless hours at Dug Pond, and supported many Natick sports, including the High School Swim Team.
When Terry retired to Yarmouth on Cape Cod, she found great joy in spending many days being a “beach bum”, meeting new friends, and working with her many plants and flowers. She followed the Patriots and Red Sox, often finding herself thoroughly enjoying their success as a loyal fan. Until she came off Cape for the final time last October, she continued to find great solace and peace knowing that she’d been able to spend so many years in such a tranquil happy place.
Terry leaves behind three children whom she raised, supported, and found ways to help succeed in education and life, often at great personal sacrifice to herself. Her son and daughters, Bryan Jay King and his wife Lynne of Natick, Laureen M. O’Brien and her husband Bill of Lunenburg, and Melissa A. Hendrickson and husband Andrew of Huntington, VT, made her proud each and every day. Her six grandchildren, named William, Meagan, Alaina, Maia, Colby and Charlotte, brought her incredible pride and pleasure as she watched them grow and mature into incredible young people.
There will be no visiting hours. A gathering in celebration of Terry’s life will occur on Saturday, May 19 from 1-4 at the Amvets Post 79, 1 Superior Drive, Natick. In lieu of flowers, donations are asked to be given to one of two funds that Terry was proud to support, and would be comforted in knowing they could benefit in her name. They are the Vi Tutuny Food Pantry, 2 Webster St., Natick, and the Kane-Peirce Swim Scholarship, Natick High School, 15 West St., Natick, MA 01760.