Theresa Terry Mills, beloved wife, mother, and grandmother, passed away peacefully in Norwich, Connecticut on December 8, 2025, surrounded by her devoted family. She was born in Willimantic, Connecticut on April 16, 1941, to the late Jules and Rose Deshaies. She attended Windham, Connecticut schools and graduated from Windham High School in 1959.

In 1965, she married the love of her life, Thomas Mills, and they lovingly raised their family in Chelmsford, Massachusetts, where they resided for 40 years. This past April, Terry and Tom joyfully celebrated their 60th wedding anniversarya milestone that reflected the deep love, partnership, and devotion they shared throughout their life together.

Since 2009, Terry and Tom made their home in Colchester, Connecticut, where Terry formed cherished friendships within the Northwoods communitya circle of support she spoke of often and fondly. Warm, gracious, and unfailingly kind, Terry brought a special light to every place she lived and every person she met. Her greatest joy, however, was her family, to whom she dedicated her heart and her days.

Terry leaves behind her loving husband, Thomas, and their three children: Karen Alsante and her husband Jim of Old Saybrook; Thomas Mills and his wife Lynn of Sturbridge; and Julie Gagliardi and her husband Paul of Branford. She is also survived by her seven adored grandchildren JT, Tyler, Katelyn, Matthew, Kristina, Lily, and Luke each of whom filled her life with immense pride and happiness. She was predeceased by her brothers, Ronald and Raymond.

An avid gardener, Terry could often be found outdoors surrounded by the beauty she cultivated. She had a natural creativity and a passion for sewing, woodworking, and decorating. During their retirement, she and Tom traveled the world hand in hand, collecting memories and stories they delighted in sharing with family and friends. Yet it was the simple, joyful moments that meant the most to herespecially the annual family trip to Cape Cod. Summers at Grammys Beach House, collecting shells, floating in the ocean, and spending uninterrupted time with her children and grandchildren were among her most treasured traditions.

Terrys family extends their heartfelt gratitude to the doctors, nurses, and staff at Backus Hospital, the compassionate team at Eastern Connecticut Hematology and Oncology Center, and at Dana-Farber in Boston. Their dedication, warmth, and attentive care brought Terry comfort and many smiles during her treatments, and her family will be forever grateful.

Terry will be remembered for her boundless love, her gentle heart, her gift for making every person feel special and her strength. Her kindness, joy, and spirit will continue to bloom in the hearts of all who knew and loved her.

Care of arrangements has been entrusted to Aurora McCarthy Funeral Home. A Funeral Mass will be held on Monday, December 15th at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Colchester, CT at 11AM.

A burial will follow at New St. Andrew Cemetery. To write a condolence or share a memory of Terry with the family, please visit www.auroramccarthyfuneralhome.com

Events

Funeral Liturgy
Monday, December 15, 2025
11:00AM
St. Andrew Catholic Church
128 Norwich Ave
Colchester, CT 06415

Final Resting Place

New St. Andrew Cemetery
Gillettes Lane
Colchester, CT 06415