Obituary of Marie T. Ferrari

Marie Therese (Terry) Ferrari, (Oct 2, 1927 - May 11, 2019) Terry Ferrari, once deemed the ‘most beautiful girl on television’, passed away on May 11, 2019 in Garden City, formerly of Manhasset, NY, surrounded by her loving family.

Her trademark bright green eyes captured the hearts of many. Unbeknownst to Terry, her sister, Kitty, submitted Terry’s picture to Seventeen Magazine thus starting her illustrious long career as one of the top models in New York. Terry (aka Terry Thomas) became Miss Subway, which was an instrumental force in launching a promising future career in modeling and TV.

Terry’s million dollar smile graced the covers of numerous magazines including the cover girl for Look, Mademoiselle, True Romance, Family Circle and a variety of others. Not only was she featured on the covers, she also appeared in numerous advertisements including Coca-Cola ads and billboards. She was well noted as the “Coca-Cola Soda Fountain Girl” painted by Norman Rockwell.

Terry also was the recipient of multiple beauty pageant awards including runner up Miss New York, Miss Holland and Miss Television for CBS. She also appeared on the Gary Moore Show, What’s My Line and many others. Terry worked alongside movie icons including Grace Kelly, Cary Grant, Elizabeth Taylor and Ava Gardner.

In addition to making the first live TV commercial featuring the U.S. Rubber Company, Terry appeared on the stage as a regular on the Jackie Gleason Show where her soon to be husband, Fred, would wait patiently by the backstage door to greet her at the end of the show.

Terry was a native New Yorker and attended Villa MariaAcademy.  Terry had given up her career to become a wife, mother and dedicate her time for the better good of her community in which she lived.  Terry was chairperson for the annual St. Mary’s Parish Ball. As President of the Woman’s Club of Flower Hill from 1969 – 1971, Terry orchestrated many charity drives and philanthropic events.  She served as a girls scout leader in the Manhasset community and was a member of the St. Mary’s and Garden City Rosary Societies, on the board of the Garden City Women’s Club, and The League of Women Voters.

Terry and her husband Fred purchased their first home in South Strathmore, Manhasset in 1955. They moved to Flower Hill, Manhasset in 1966. Terry and Fred enjoyed travelling, raising their children and raising prize winning Doberman Pinchers. One of the Dobermans was featured in the Westminster Show as “Best in Show”.

Terry is predeceased by her husband, a 5th Marine Division war hero, Fred Ferrari, who was the recipient of two purple hearts. She is survived by her children, Mary (John) Searson, Theresa (Ron) Furman, and Fred (Susan) Ferrari, Jr. and 7 grand children, Ryan (Kim) Furman, Michael (Lauren) Furman, Catherine Furman, Freddy Ferrari, Elizabeth Furman, Thomas Ferrari, and Jimmy Searson and 2 great grand children, Conor and Caroline Furman.

Terry’s kind spirit and party loving ways will remain forever in the hearts of her family and friends