Jane Lee (Schnell) Terry
Jane Lee (Schnell) Terry, 79, of Indianapolis, passed peacefully at her home on Monday, Aug. 18, 2008, with her loving husband, Robert A. Terry Sr. at her side. Jane was a cancer survivor for over a decade. She was preceded in death by her mother, Margaret Aubyn Schnell, on July 19, 2008, and her father, R.C. Bud Schnell, on June 1, 1992.
Jane was born in Evansville on September 20, 1928. She graduated from Bosse High School in 1946 where she was a member of the National Honor Society. Jane was a graduate of Butler University, Jordan College of Music, Indianapolis, in 1950, with joint bachelor degrees in Music Education and Education. She was a member of the Pi Beta Phi Sorority. Jane was solo chair clarinetist in the band and first chair clarinetist in the orchestra. She taught orchestra at West Baden High School where she began their first band.
On March 24, 1951 she married Butler clarinetist, Robert Anderson Terry Sr. Jane worked as a secretary at Western Electric in Indianapolis before becoming the secretary to the Clowes Hall Public Relations Director. It wasn't long until she became the Public Relations Director of the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra for the next 25 years. There she composed the program articles on each symphony and background notes on each composer, as well as layout coordinator. Other responsibilities included driving international celebrities to and from the airport, providing them their every whim, and taking the role of private assistant. Several included Andre Watts, Beverly Sills, Ella Fitzgerald, Rita Marino, Doc Severinson and premier musicians and conductors from all over the world.
Surviving are her husband, Robert Anderson Terry Sr.; son and his family, Robert Anderson Terry Jr., wife, Julie, their children, Ethan Anderson Terry and Madison Mae Terry; her daughter, Susan Ann (Terry) Tobin and husband, Barry, and their children, Brian Christopher Tobin (and daughter, Hailey Orion Tobin), Spencer William Tobin and Blakely-Sage Tobin; sister, Sherry Sue (Schnell) Hancock and her husband, Walter; nephew, Christopher William Russell; niece, Robyn (Russell) Stewart and her husband, Robert, and children, Katie Stewart and Ryan Stewart; an aunt, Delores "Dee Dee" Lopp; an uncle, J. Douglas Knight Sr., his son, J. Douglas Knight Jr. and Rosemary; nieces and nephews, Jennifer (Knight) Brumley and Derek, Emily (Knight) Friend and Erik, Justin Knight; sister-in-law, Marilynn Klepfer and Steven, their daughter, Kimberly (Klepfer) and husband, Chip Schenk.
Visitation and funeral services were August 18, 2008, at the Crown Hill Funeral Home, with Chaplain Tony Schommer officiating. Memorial contributions may be made to the Indianapolis Symphony Orchestra.
August 22, 2008
Dear Sherry and family. My prayers are with you, to help you deal with such a loss in your life. I ask God to give you strength to endure the heartache of now losing your sister after losing your mother such a short time ago. I had met Jane only once at your mothers many years ago and thought she was so nice. If you need anything please do not hesitate to call. Love In Christ, Steve Pirnat (Evansville, IN)
August 22, 2008
Sherry, my love, my heart is aching for you. Just know how very, very sorry I am for you to suffer such tremendous loss of your mother and your sister in so short a time. You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers. Karen Brown (Silverdale, WA)
