Theresa “Terry” Seitz left us on July 18, 2023 following complications from Covid, she was 91 years old. Terry was born in Akron, Ohio, one of seven children of Ralph and Anita Garduno. Terry was graduated from Springfield High School and began her long and varied work life at the Goodyear Tire Company where she met and eventually married Patrick Fullam. They were blessed with four children and traversed the country making homes in Texas, Delaware and finally New Jersey.
The family settled in Freehold where Terry began her lifelong passion for interior design, decorating her own home with her keen sense of style, crafting unique objects and incorporating finds from flea markets. Terry pursued other interests as well writing “Tips from Terry” for the local paper and owning and operating Gateway Gallery in partnership with her longtime friend and artist, Joseph Reilly. She turned her design interest into a profession first working for Ethan Allen Interiors and eventually forming a design partnership, The Inside Story, with her dear friend, Charnie Stein, where they completed many successful residential and commercial projects. Later in life, Terry greatly enjoyed her retailing work at Byford & Mills in Little Silver.
Terry found the love of her life, Earl W. Seitz, while residing in Red Bank and they were married for twenty-four years. They enjoyed a spectacular life traveling the world and enjoying great friendships and family. The twosome ran an antiques business, E&T Innovations, in Fair Haven and Red Bank. Monmouth Beach and Palm Beach were their home bases and they eventually settled in Shadow Lake Village in Middletown.
Terry was always deeply active in community affairs, even having run for Town Council in Freehold. She was an enthusiastic member of the local Theater Arts Guild (TAG) for many years. She was also committed to many charities but took particular interest in the fight against domestic violence and served as Board Chair for the amazing organization of 180 Turning Lives around for several years. For her many efforts, in 2003, she was given a Woman of Distinction award from the Girl Scouts of America; was recognized by the New Jersey and Senate Assembly; and was given a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition.
Terry was the heart of her family who will miss her greatly. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Margaret and Raymond Mass, daughters, Maureen and Holly Fullam, grandson, Jeff Mass and his partner Kelly Petruska, grandson, Bryan Mass and his wife, Jamie Davis Mass, as well as her siblings Carmen, Ralph and Tommy Garduno and Patty Caruso, and many other family and friends too numerous to mention. Monte, her beloved dog, is bereft but will be taken good care of by her family.
The family will be holding a visitation on Friday, July 28th, from 4 to 7 PM at the Thompson Memorial Home, 310 Broad Street, Red Bank, NJ. In lieu of flowers, please make donations to 180 Turning Lives Around (www.180nj.org).
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