Theresa “Terry” M. Lance, 96 of Meredith, passed peacefully on April 23, 2024, at home with her two daughters by her side.
Terry was born November 8, 1927, in Meredith, to the late Ted and Marion (Martin) McGuigan. She was a graduate of Meredith High School, class of 1945, a graduate of Forsyth Dental in 1947. She married Walter Lance in 1949 and celebrated 50 years of marriage in 1999, just before his death.
She worked as a dental hygienist for 52 years working in private dental offices, Laconia Elementary Schools, Laconia State School, and retired from the NH Department of Dental Public Health in Concord.
Terry was an avid hiker and longtime AMC member. She had earned the New England 4000’ Patch and spent many vacations hiking and back packing the western mountains in the US and Canada.
She traveled extensively to hike and to ski, some of her favorite trips were skiing in Austria and Switzerland. She visited Ireland, Spain, Portugal, England, walked across an old volcano in Hawaii, cruised through the Panama Canal, vacationed in Mexico, and camped in Alaska.
She was a former member of the Meredith Conservation Commission and enjoyed walking boundaries of the Meredith town forests for several years, including in the Page Pond Forrest and Hamlin Park.
She was an avid sports fan and attended Celtics and Boston Red Sox games. One of her greatest joys was watching her grandchildren and great grandchildren participate in school sports.
A lifelong member of St. Charles Borromeo Catholic Church, she volunteered with the outreach ministry for several years.
She was predeceased by her husband Walter Lance in 1999, daughter Susan in 2005, brothers Ted McGuigan, Norman McGuigan, sister Marie McGuigan, and her son in law John Jordan.
She is survived by her daughters Patricia Lance and Kathy Hyde (George) both of Center Harbor. She was a beloved grandmother to Angela Hurd (John) of Center Harbor, Kristina Jordan (Kevin) of California, and Erica DiFabio (Joseph) of Meredith. She was the best great gram to Nicholas Hurd (Hannah) of Tennessee, Briana Hurd and Colby Hurd of Center Harbor, Gabrielle Hurd of Manchester, and “Gi Gi” to Lilyanna and Kevin Vezina of California, and Joseph DiFabio, Jr. of Meredith. She was a great great grandmother to Wyatt, Waylon, and Daniel Hurd of Tennessee. She is also survived by her sisters Norma Mudgett and Marguerite Finley, as well as many nieces and nephews.
We would like to give a very special thank you to Cindy and Sarah with the Lakes Region VNA. Without these very special people, Mom would not have been able to stay at home with the special care she received. Cindy, you will always be her angel. She also was very fortunate to have her dear friends Nancy and Marti who visited daily and brought great joy.
A graveside service will be held at Meredith Village Cemetery on Monday, May 13, 2024, at 10:00am with a reception to follow.
In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the Lakes Region Visiting Nurse Association 186 Waukewan St. #6023, Meredith, NH 03253 or to the Meredith Conservation Commission 41 Main St. Meredith, NH 03253.
In her memory, “enjoy a hike.”
Arrangements are under the care of Mayhew Funeral Homes and Crematorium. To sign the online book of memories, go to mayhewfuneralhomes.com.