Gertrude Brown Chitty Terry was known for her intelligence, humor, sharp memory, warmth and gift for storytelling. Born on April 15, 1929, in Jacksonville, Florida, she died on June 4, 2026 at age 97 in Vero Beach, Florida.

Gertrude was the youngest of 6 children, 3 sisters and 2 brothers, all of whom predeceased her including her dear mother, when she was only one year of age. Raised in Jacksonville, she attended West Riverside Elementary School, John Gorrie Jr High and Robert E Lee High (now Riverside High School). She met the love of her life, Jack Terry, a third year medical student at Tulane University, during her first year at Sophie Newcomb College of Tulane University.

On December 28, 1948, Gertrude married Jack. The early years of their marriage involved constant moves as Jack completed medical school with internships, residency, fellowship training and a two year tour as a surgeon in the Air Force during the Korean War. During seven years and eight moves, they lived in New Orleans, Chicago, Biloxi, Houston and other locations while welcoming three children into the family.

In 1956, Gertrude returned to her hometown of Jacksonville, where Jack established his surgical practice. Finally able to put down roots and be near two of her sisters, the family was completed with the birth of their fourth child. She taught Sunday school, sang in the choir and chaired numerous committees at St. Johns Presbyterian Church. As a member of the Junior League, she served as Placement Chairman, Recording Secretary and co-chaired Membership and Choral Committees.

After Jack promised it would be their final move, the Terry family moved to Vero Beach in 1966 with three teenagers, a two year old and a Saint Bernard. They chose Vero Beach, “Where The Tropics Begin”, for its small oceanside community, the need for another surgeon, year round golf and sunshine.

At 45 years of age, Gertrude went back to school with dear friend, Jane Robinson, earning a nursing degree with honors. (She had visions of medical mission trips with Jack in retirement.) So began a lifelong career of medical advice for family and friends.

One of 8 founders, along with Ann Hamner, of the Adult Literacy Service (Literacy Services of Indian River County), Gertrude segued volunteering in literacy to a passion for literature. After attending a memoir writing workshop with daughter Charlotte, the two of them started “The Sandfly Scribblers” in 2009, who met every week in her home.

Her home, known as the Sandfly Shuffle Inn, became the center of family life for the remainder of her years. A hub of hospitality, graciousness and family gatherings, Gertrude herself described it as loving “the revolving door”. After being raised the baby of a large family without a mother, she became the matriarch of the Chitty Chick Clan and adored the role.

Gertrude leaves behind a loving family, generations of descendants, and countless friends who benefited from her warmth, wisdom, humor and unwavering devotion. Her life spanned nearly a century extraordinary of change, yet she remained deeply rooted in the values of family, friendship, faith, and service that defined her character.

Gertrude will be greatly missed and fondly remembered by all who knew and loved her.

Gertrude Brown Chitty Terry was predeceased by her parents Arthur Benjamin Chitty and Hazel Talitha Brown Chitty, husband John “Jack” Heaney Terry, M.D.. She was survived by her children John H. Terry, Jr., Charlotte N. Terry (John), Gretchen Terry Hibbard (Scott), Cooper L Terry, MD (Ginny), by her grandchildren Stefani S Monn (Scott), John Christian Willis Terry (Emily), Hanna Elizabeth Terry (KJ), Bridie Palmer Beuttell Cobbs (Ryan), John Collingwood Beuttell (Rawson), Tyrrell Henry Hibbard (Mary), Cooper Whitney Hibbard (Ashley), Virginia Hawthorne Terry, Edward Cooper Terry (Scout), Annabel Louise Terry, by her great grandchildren Cape Monn Kwong (Justin), Cooper Monn Zelaya (Jose), Cassi McKee Monn, Lillie Bee Terry-Martinsen, Theo Terry-Martinsen, Meriel Viola Smith, Emory Charlotte Cobbs, Kiera Mary Cobbs, Maddox Maeve Beuttell, Bastian Collingwood Beuttell, Wiley Robert Beuttell, Genevieve Sieben Hibbard, Hazel Jane Hibbard, Posey Frieda Gertrude Hibbard and Boone Henry Sieben Hibbard

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations be made to The Hospice House of Vero or the Literacy Services of Indian River County. Arrangements are under the direction of Cox-Gifford Seawinds Funeral Home.

An online guestbook is available at CoxGiffordSeawinds.com