ERIE, Pa. — After decades of raising a family, building careers and making a difference in Erie, longtime community advocates Jim and Claudette Terrill are embracing another active chapter together.
The couple’s 65 years of marriage have been marked by a shared commitment to family and the Erie community. After raising six children and building careers, they continued finding ways to contribute, forming lasting relationships and helping shape the place they have long called home.
Now, the Terrills bring that same outgoing spirit to their new home at The Residence at Presque Isle Bay, an IntegraCare senior living community in Erie.
“We love to party,” the couple wrote when sharing some of their life story. It is a fitting description of two people who have made an art of staying involved, meeting people and enjoying the experiences life brings. Claudette is 89 years old, and Jim is 88.
“What an amazing couple,” said Linsley Wybiral, Community Relations Director at The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. “Jim and Claudette have done some incredible things within their community throughout their lives and are still active with many groups. They bring the same enthusiasm and positive outlook to our senior living community.”
That’s not surprising. The Terrills often displayed a willingness to step forward when their community needed someone to take the lead.
A graduate of St. John’s Academy, Claudette was involved in cheerleading, student journalism and music before studying biology at Russell Sage College in Albany, New York.
Jim graduated from East Stroudsburg High School before continuing his education at Union University in Schenectady, New York, where he studied engineering and liberal arts on a full scholarship. Coming from a family of educators, he also wanted a liberal arts degree that connected him to that family tradition.
The two met while Jim was in college and married in 1961. Their 65-year marriage has included eight different places of residence, six children — five daughters and a son — and careers that took them to several communities.
Claudette worked for General Electric in a training program, while Jim built a career with the company that included assignments in Erie and Grove City in Pennsylvania, and Pittsfield, Massachusetts. His responsibilities eventually included community relations, giving him opportunities to connect business and civic leadership.
In Grove City, Jim served as chairman of the Chamber of Commerce and helped oversee the hiring of 400 employees for the General Electric plant. The couple spent nearly eight years there before returning to Erie, where they built a home and eventually settled after retirement.
No matter where they lived, they found ways to make a difference. In Harborcreek Township, Claudette served on the Parks Commission, led Girl Scouts and 4-H activities, taught religious education and participated in her church council. She also advocated for the development of a 350-acre park for the township.
Her advocacy extended to opportunities for young women in athletics. Claudette played an instrumental role in establishing one of the women’s sports teams at a local school, an effort that reflected her belief in creating opportunities for others.
Jim also took on leadership responsibilities. He served on the Erie County Council and cast the deciding vote on the location of the city’s convention center. He also served on the board of Erie Community College.
The Terrills’ involvement extended beyond boardrooms and public meetings. They maintained a small farm in Harborcreek, complete with fruit trees, a fruit stand and vegetables. Jim even raised bees, while the couple enjoyed a lifestyle that allowed them to be largely self-sufficient.
“They’ve also been involved in construction projects around Erie and Harborcreek and have personally helped with new developments,” Wybiral said.
Claudette continued her education while the family was in Grove City, returning to school at Slippery Rock University to pursue her master’s degree. After returning to Erie, she resumed her community involvement, serving on the school board and parks committee and joining the Erie Playhouse Board.
Through the years, the couple developed a reputation for combining hard work with a genuine enjoyment of life. Their stories include professional milestones, community projects, family adventures and celebrations that brought people together. Mardi Gras parties are among the memories that reflect their shared enthusiasm for having fun.
That spirit has not changed with their move to The Residence at Presque Isle Bay.
For IntegraCare, helping residents embrace another chapter means recognizing that moving to senior living does not mean putting aside the interests, relationships and sense of purpose that have shaped their lives. Instead, it creates opportunities to build on those experiences in a setting where connections and engagement remain important.
“The Terrills bring decades of leadership, creativity and community involvement to their new surroundings,” Wybiral said. “Their experiences offer opportunities to share stories, develop friendships and continue participating in activities that make life meaningful.”
Their move also reflects an important part of the IntegraCare approach: Each resident has a unique story, and the next chapter should build on the experiences, interests and accomplishments that came before it.
“The Terrills have integrated very well into the community,” said Nathan Maietta, Executive Operations Officer at The Residence at Presque Isle Bay. “The team members genuinely enjoy having them here and have developed positive, meaningful relationships with them. They are also very engaged with the other residents and can often be found socializing in the dining room, participating in activities, and interacting with those around them.
“They have been warmly welcomed and have become a valued part of our community,” Maietta continued. “It has been wonderful to see the connections they have made with both residents and our team.”
After 65 years of marriage, six children, multiple career moves and countless community contributions, Jim and Claudette Terrill have plenty of stories to tell. And judging by their enthusiasm, they are not finished making memories or finding reasons to celebrate.
For more information, contact Linsley Wybiral, Community Relations Director, The Residence at Presque Isle Bay, at [email protected] or call 814.455.1630.
