Terri Susan Proper

Teri Susan Proper, 66, of 447 County Route 7A, died Tuesday, June 27, 2023 at the Berkshire Medical Center, Pittsfield, MA surrounded by all of her children.   Born April 14, 1957 in Great Barrington she was the daughter of the late Lindy and Jane Wilsey Miller.   A lifetime area resident, Teri was a member of the graduating Class of 1975 from Taconic Hills High School along with her high school sweetheart, Lawrence “Larry” O. Proper.  Teri would later marry Larry on April 2, 1977 and they settled in the house that they bought in Copake.  

Following her graduation from Taconic Hills, Teri worked as a waitress at The Dutch Treat and started an apprenticeship as a hairdresser at Lisa Marie’s Salon in Hudson, NY in 1975.  She opened Teri Sue’s Beauty Salon in the early 1980’s where she was able to work part-time in her house while also being able to serve as a loving parent to her four children.  Active in the community throughout her life, Teri served as a Girl Scout Troop Leader, Sunday School Teacher at the Copake United Methodist Church, and long-time member of the Copake United Methodist Church.

In the early 2000’s, Teri started a secondary career as an assistant preschool teacher working with Lynn Hotaling at the Copake Country Preschool in Copake.  When Lynn decided to step away from teaching preschool, Teri decided to start her own operation, Teri’s Kool Kidz Pre-Skool.  Aside from raising four children of her own and being a proud grandmother of her four grandchildren, teaching preschool children was Teri’s most rewarding life experience.  Many of her preschool students have since gone on to achieve great things in their academic and professional careers, at least in part due to her guidance early in life.

Predeceased by her husband Lawrence “Larry”, survivors include three sons: Todd (Lynn), Ryan (Kristana) and Andrew (Cora) Proper; a daughter, Bridgette (Michael) Gregory, and her beloved dog, Daisy; her grandchildren: Alex, Wesley, Jane and Charles Proper.  A brother, Lindy G. Miller, and a sister, Lisa (Paul) Marcel, and several nieces and nephews also survive.

A memorial scholarship fund is being established to honor Teri's life work.  Please make checks payable to Community Scholarship Fund (or CSF) and send to the following address: Ryan Proper, 217 Fish and Game Rd, Hudson, NY 12534.  

Her Funeral Service will be held 10:00 AM Monday, July 3rd at the Copake United Methodist Church on County Route 7A in Copake.  Interment will follow in the Copake Cemetery.  Friends may call on Sunday from 3pm to 7pm at the Peck & Peck Funeral Home, 8063 NY-22 in Copake. Food donations for the gathering following the funeral can be dropped off at the Copake Fire Department building prior to the service on Monday.

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