Virginia Terry Glover

Virginia Terry Wetenkamp Glover

Known as Terry or “Ma Terry”

Recently of Woodcrest Manor Assisted Living in Henrietta, NY died on October 7, 2026, after a period of declining health. No one who knew Terry would be surprised that she chose to leave the world with her characteristic independence, in the early morning hours when no one would be there to change her plans.

Terry was a mystery from birth even to those who knew her best. It is believed that she was born in Memphis Tennessee on June 20, 1945. Circumstances of her birth will forever be unknown as she was adopted by Andrew Rinkart and Virginia Terry Wetenkamp from the notorious Tennessee Children's Home Society where children were often peddled for profit. Terry attended St. Anne’s and St. Agnes Catholic Schools in Memphis. She also attended Sacred Heart Academy in Cullman, Alabama where she matriculated in 1963. From there, Terry attended Siena College of Memphis and St. Joseph Hospital School of Nursing. It was at St Joseph’s that she met her first husband Donald W. Strauss. Although they were divorced for many years, the two remained dear friends for the duration of Terry’s life.

Terry went on to work at Baptist Hospital in downtown Memphis and Upjohn Healthcare before stepping into the not-for-profit arena. Terry’s expertise in caring for the elderly, particularly those with dementia, enabled her to assist in the formation of the National Board of the Alzheimer's Association and to become the first paid employee of that group in Memphis. While at the Alzheimer's Association , Terry hired Rev Dr James Donald Glover to assist in grant writing. Although she didn’t know it then, he was to become the love of her life. Terry went on to lead the Adult Day Care at the Memphis Jewish Home but the two remained in touch.

After the death of his first wife, Terry and Don married and settled in Milledgeville, Georgia where Don had worked and where they both retired. The two enjoyed a large group of friends with whom they shared monthly supper events, they joined First Presbyterian Church, and were active in the Lions Club of Milledgeville - where Terry received the Melvin Jones Fellowship Award, the highest form of recognition for members of that organization. All of their grandchildren can tell stories of summer visits to Ma Terry and Grandaddy’s “Manners Camp,” eating Mickey Waffles and ice cream together, making s’mores in the back yard and baking cookies for the holidays at their house by the lake.

Terry and Don loved to travel, visiting Nova Scotia for their honeymoon, and going to Don’s family reunions. Over the years they visited Disney World many times, England, Montreal, New York City, LA, Mexico, Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and even Hawaii.

In 2010, after Don was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease, the two of them moved to Rochester, NY to be closer to daughter Brae and her young family. Keeping up the adventurous spirit, they enjoyed bringing out of town guests to visit Niagara Falls and to the Corning Museum of Glass. While Don tolerated the weather, Terry delighted in every snowfall and took great interest in how many inches had fallen on a particular day. In Rochester Terry and Don formed another community, hosting the ever popular Mickey Waffle dinners for the grandkids and their friends, and joining Third Presbyterian church, where Terry, inspired by family members in the rainbow community, became an active member of the More Light committee. Terry and Don marched in the Rochester Pride parade every year and had a ball. It was also at Third Presbyterian that they met Terry’s third favorite pastor (after Don and daughter, Brae) the Rev. Tedd Pullano and their “Caring Companions” Jack Mould and Ann McMican, who remained a steady and loving presence for them both to the end.

In August of 2022, Don died at home, with Terry as his only caregiver, which was Terry’s goal. In the Winter of the next year, Terry moved to Woodcrest Commons Assisted Living. While a resident there, she made many friends, was active in the resident council, and celebrated every holiday dressed in Mickey Mouse attire. In those years also enjoyed visits by her grandchildren and her great grandchildren. She was also blessed to have her beloved grandson in law, Neka, with whom she enjoyed many visits and frequent adventures.

Terry moved to the Highlands at Brighton in August of 2026 where she received excellent and loving attention provided by the amazing staff of nurses and nursing assistants, nurse practitioners, nutrition staff, and custodial staff who stopped by and said hello when they were nearby. Additional care was provided by Lindsay and Muhammad from University of Rochester Hospice, to whom we are grateful. Her last days were spent in the company of her daughter-in-law, Debbie, who moved back to Rochester for six weeks to support her in her final days, and her dear friend Renee Eberling, who with wife Karen Lasky, were devoted to the end.

Terry was preceded in death by her “true love” the Rev Dr Don Glover and is survived by her daughter the Rev. Brae Adams (Debbie Krusemark) of Worcester, MA; her son Michael Strauss (Joy) of Walterboro, SC; and her bonus children, Don’s daughters Carole Glover of Chesapeake Beach, MD; and Susan Babb (Terry) of Memphis. She is also survived by Brae’s children Thomas (Neka), Avery (Julian), and Hayden aka “Han” (Javen); Michael’s children Jeremy (Amanda) and his son Carson, Jessimine, and Erin (James) and their sons Mason and Luke; Carole’s children Andrei (Jessica) and Alexander; and Susan’s children Katie, Ian and Owen. She also leaves many friends who will remember her every time they see Mickey Mouse.

Services will be held at Third Presbyterian, 4 Meigs Street, Rochester, NY 14607 on Saturday, November 14, 2026, at 2:00 PM.

Memorial donations can be sent to the More Light Committee at Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, to the Alzheimer's Association , or to the Lions Club International.