Terrell C. Dunphy

The family of Terrell C. Dunphy, age 77, is saddened to announce her peaceful passing in Naples, Florida on February 20th, 2026.

A native of Duluth, Minnesota, Terrell (Terri) was the daughter of parents Jack T. Dunphy and Elizabeth J. Dunphy Barnum, both deceased. Terri graduated from Duluth Cathedral High School in June, 1966. Her passions were drama and music of all sorts from classical, pop and of course musical theater. In high school, she had memorable roles in many productions, inspiring her younger sisters to follow in her footsteps. She also sang in the choir and played in the marching band along with her sister Denise, including many chilly parades watched by her sisters. She graduated with honors and was encouraged to pursue her dream of stardom by her director Nick Schank, who remained a lifelong friend.

One week afer graduation, Terri set off for New York City to become an actress. She attended the Academy of Dramatic Arts and starred in Summer Stock productions in Tennessee. She also graduated from Baruch College of CUNY, where she honed her business skills. Like her favorite dramatist, Shakespeare, Terri believed that all the world was her stage and that she had many parts to play in her lifetime.

Terri’s greatest success in New York was on the corporate stage. She ascended the male-dominated career ladder from file clerk to the first ever female executive, Vice-President of Products Manager, at the Savings Bank Retirement System (SBRS) in Manhattan. She forged lifelong friendships there.

For years, Terri lived frugally in a fifth-floor, walk-up, rent controlled apartment in Manhattan. Furniture was rescued from “shabby-chic” pieces left on the street. Despite this, she hosted many memorable dinners and parties.

Terri used the money saved to indulge her passion for theatre. She and her group of theatre buff friends attended dozens of plays, some multiple times, and stood faithfully by stage doors to meet some of the most famous actors and actresses of the time. Her collection of theater posters and signed playbills were some of her most prized possessions. She eventually left her walk-up and bought a fabulous penthouse apartment in Manhattan, with an elevator; more entertaining, with a spectacular view, ensued.

Terri also enjoyed spending her free time riding the train to Connecticut to visit her Aunt Mary K. and her family, as well as an annual trip to Duluth to the rented cabin at Maple Lake, Minnesota. Her family loved visiting her in New York and having many adventures there including theater trips.

Terri was an ardent traveler and a voracious reader and wanted to see the places from her books and films. Terri had many exciting and romantic adventures around the world, including Norway, Egypt, Finland, Italy and Scotland, making friends along the way. She also loved visiting her mother in Nevis.

After leaving SBRS, Terri retrained as a court reporter, as she always had a passion for crime dramas and had served on juries in New York. She moved to Florida in 1998 and once again reinvented herself in the finance world, eventually working as Operations Manager for Charles Schwab in downtown Naples, and earning her stockbroker’s license. She reluctantly retired at age 70 but kept her ‘boss-lady’ status as Treasurer for the Condo Association for many years at her small, beautiful complex in Old Naples. She was well loved, trusted and relied upon by all her neighbors and friends there. Her wider family also loved visiting her and especially sitting by and swimming in the pool in the Florida sunshine. She especially loved visits from Denni, Cindy and their “fur baby” dachshunds, Sadie and Sophie.

Terri is predeceased by her beloved sister Denise. She is survived by Denise’s life partner Cynthia Matlack; her sister Dawn (Toshifumi) Komatsu, Bonnie Lou Dunphy and Kimberly (Stephen) Horner; Aunt Mary K. Hagen. (Louis Schindler, partner); nieces Lauren Komatsu (Paul Harris) and Lydia Komatsu (Matthew Graven); nephews Matthew Komatsu (Jennifer Erickson), Tristan (Nicola) Horner, Adrian Horner (Lucy Saville, partner) and Aaron Dunphy-Knigten; first cousins Jay (LeVearne) Hagen and Mark (Loretta) Hagen and 8 great nieces and nephews, as well as many cousins.

Terri and her sister Denise were inseparable as children and remained close throughout their lives. To honor Denise and Terri, the family are having consecutive Celebrations of Life, held in Duluth MN on the weekend of September 12-13, 2026.

Donations in lieu of flowers to a charity of your choice.