She walked in late for a Bloggers class at Writers and Books, breathless and seemingly disorganized—tall and slim with short dark hair and dangling earrings, wearing a vintage outfit that paid homage to the Love Era of the 60’s.  Her entrance was like a gust of wind disrupting the calm.  She offered a reason/excuse for her tardiness and proceeded to settle herself, her backpack and its many contents at the place she had chosen at the table.

She introduced herself as Terryn Maybeck who lived in Victor, NY, with her husband and two children, a freelance writer among other things.  She also listed additional credentials, but quite frankly I didn’t pay attention.  I had already formed my impression; to me she appeared unfocused and annoying.

In subsequent classes she freely offered her opinions and suggestions, told stories of her experiences and at times dominated class discussions.  It took all of the kindness I could muster to tolerate her,

Two years later, after MY belovED passed away, I was invited to attend a series of support meetings sponsored by the mortuary that had made his final arrangements.  There were four other widows in the group.  One of them introduced herself and said she was dealing not only with the loss of her husband of fifty-six years, but with the failing health of her daughter-in-law.  Her name was Susan Maybeck.  It sounded familiar, but I couldn’t place it.

The bereavement group meetings ended in early June.   A few weeks later, I saw an obituary notice for Terryn Maybeck in the local paper and realized the relationship. Accompanying the notice was a quarter page article with several photos and the headline:

Terryn Maybeck, a prominent voice from victor, Ontario County, died Saturday, July 1, after a difficult battle with ovarian cancer.  She was 57.  Mrs. Maybeck was a former reporter, columnist and photographer for the Victor Post and former Victor blogger for the Democrat and Chronicle.  She inspired her neighbors to work together to help those in need and to appreciate the beauty surrounding all of us.

Born Terryn Kildoyle on April 20, 1960, she graduated from Fairport HS and earned a bachelor’s degree in architecture with a minor in interior design from the NY Institute of Technology-Old Westbury.  While working as an architect, Mrs. Maybeck met her future husband, Steve, who was a consulting engineer for her company.  He said he saw her out one night and she invited him to a party at her house the following week, but he called to ask her on a date before that.  “We were together ever since,” he said.  “I thought she was really cute.”  The couple were married 27 years.

Over the course of her life, Mrs. Maybeck remained dedicated to giving back to her community, from the Girl Scout troop she led for years to her involvement in the Victor Citizens’ Parks and Recreation Advisory Committee.  The impact she made was aptly recognized.

Among her many honors, she was named Victor Citizen of the Year in 2009 and received a George H.W. Bush Point of Light Award. “She was always looking for need in the community and trying to help fill that wherever she went,” her husband said.

When Rochester’s Salvation Army discontinued its stocking program, Mrs. Maybeck set off to spearhead more than a relaunch, an expansion.  What turned into the Victor/Farmington Stocking Program grew to provide for a wide array of city youths, from infants to high school seniors.  Her husband said it became her keynote endeavor, and each year, volunteers gathered to stuff stockings with Christmas day crafts and toys.  Pick-up days became orchestrated celebrations with live music, hot chocolate and cookies.

In addition to her community outreach, Mrs Maybeck’s love of art also colors her legacy.  An active volunteer in Victor Central Schools she was involved in the Victor Service Unit and was integral to bringing student programs such as Square l Art and Art Super Saturdays.  She was a certified precious metal/clay instructor, felt artist and pulp painter who trained under renowned artists Terry Kovalcik, Jurie Johnson and Ruth Vaughan.

In 2010, the artist in love with many media went on to found Wild Nelly’s World, a hub for edgy jewelry creations, wool felted clothing and accessories, silk designs and art that merged vintage styles with repurposed materials.  Mrs. Maybeck also served as co-chair of Crystal Blue Persuasion, a group of local jewelry artists who donate proceeds from their pieces to ovarian cancer support groups.  (Aleanna Siacon)

IN MEMORIAM:  Besides her husband, Mrs Maybeck is survived by a son, Anders, a daughter, Margo, her mother, Shirley Buckingham, two sisters, Robin Ruth and Lynne Pederson, and several nieces and nephews.  Services were held at the Rochester Zen Center and a memorial reception was held at Finn’s Tap Room in Victor.  Well-wishers were asked to contribute to the Victor/Farmington Stocking Program in care of the Community Food Cupboard or the Rochester Zen Center.

After reading the account of her many accomplishments, I realized that because of my faulty judgement, I missed the opportunity to know an amazing woman.

Terryn, may your legacy of commitment to community endure beyond your years through all whom you have inspired.