Teresa “Terry” Fitzgerald LaVoy
Teresa “Terry” Fitzgerald LaVoy, who served Skidmore’s Dining Services team as a motherly figure for more than a decade, died on March 13, 2023. She was 85.
Terry worked as a short-order cook and kitchen and dining room assistant from 1988 until her retirement in 1999. Colleagues described her as caring, kind, fun to work with, and equally dedicated to her work and to mentoring younger employees.
“She was a mom type to us: She cared deeply about everyone – employees and students – but was also meticulous about her work. She instructed us and wanted things done right,” recalled Debbie Hoyos, who worked with Terry for six years and now works in Burgess Café. “She showed us anything we needed to know and always had kind words and advice to share.”
Dining Services Operations Manager Jamie Cherry also praised Terry’s contributions to the Dining Services team, describing her as “a shining light full of energy.”
“In a world where not everyone is rooting for you to succeed, she was the exact opposite,” he said.
Born on March 25, 1937, in Schuylerville, Terry graduated from Schuylerville Central School. She is survived by her daughter Tammy (Terry) O’Connor; her friend Charlene Metz, who was like a daughter; several brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law; and nieces and nephews. She was predeceased by her former husband, Willard LaVoy; two sons, Timmy and Jeffrey LaVoy; and her brother, Amil Fitzgerald.