Celebrate your loved one’s life in a way that’s as independent as they were – in the Daily State News and BayTobayNews.com. Share fond memories, photos and information on celebrations of life using our easy, step-by-step process.
Theresa “Terry” Ann (Cripps) Gaisor, of Bethany Beach, DE passed away peacefully surrounded by her family following a long battle against esophageal cancer.
Terry was born in Waynesboro, VA on April 9, 1953 and raised in Dover, DE daughter of the late George Washington Cripps and the late Frances May (Wilson) Cripps. She graduated from Caesar Rodney High School Class of 1971. She went on to earn her Chartered Property and Casualty Underwriter’s Certification in 1992 and earned her Associates Degree in Applied Science-Information Systems Technology from Delaware Tech in 2001.
Terry was industrious from an early age, working as a cashier after school at Pantry Pride to pay for her first car. She sewed much of her own clothing and always had a keen eye for fashion, as she soaked in the latest styles sported by her older sister. In later years, that passion transitioned into sewing window treatments of all kinds for her home and for others, including operating her own small business.
Terry worked most of her adult life in Commercial Insurance as both a Risk Manager and an Insurance Marketing Specialist. Key employers were Lomas Financial Services in Dallas, TX, Champion Federal Savings & Loan in Bloomington, IL, McNeill-Patterson & Associates, Inc. in Spartanburg, SC and Lyons Insurance, in Wilmington, DE.
Besides her family, Terry most loved time spent at the Delaware beaches, walks around the neighborhood, happy hour and wildlife watching from the back porch. She loved cooking, and her creative versions of family favorites are wonderful. Her gravy was always flawless with unmatched flavor. Terry was a kind person who would help whomever she could. Her knowledge of the vagaries of insurance in Delaware made her a frequently sought out consultant around her neighborhood.
In addition to her parents, she was preceded in death by a brother, George “Buddy” Cripps. Terry is survived by her loving husband of 42 years, Ward P. Gaisor of Bethany Beach, DE; her son, Brian David Hummel and his partner, Erin Hammond of Middletown, DE; a grandson, Jackson Vaughn Hummel of Middletown, DE; a sister, Cora Frances (Cripps) Hartman of Merritt Island, DE; three brothers, Gary Cripps and his wife, Kathy of Milford, DE, Richard Cripps and his wife, Annette of Merritt Island, FL and Randy Cripps and his wife, Patti of Ocean View, DE; two sisters-in-law, Cindy Gaisor of Alexandria, VA and Amy Gaisor of the Villages, FL and a brother-in-law, Ross Gaisor and his wife, Jane of Pleasanton, CA.
Friends and family gathered after 11 AM on Monday, March 17, 2025 at the Ocean View Chapel of Melson Funeral Services, 38040 Muddy Neck Rd., Ocean View, DE 19970, with a celebration of Terry’s life beginning at 12 noon.
Interment was held privately at Sunset Memorial Park in Berlin, MD.
Online condolences may be sent tothe family by visiting www.melsonfuneralservices.com
