Theresa "Terry" Conroy's Obituary
It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of Theresa Louise Conroy, 69, of Annapolis, Maryland, who died on January 7, 2026, bathed in the love she spent a lifetime giving away.
Born on June 29, 1956, in College Park, Maryland, Terry was a Marylander through and through, rooted deeply in her community and devoted to the people within it. From an early age, she understood that life’s greatest purpose was service to others, and she lived that belief with extraordinary consistency and heart.
Terry began her life of service as a junior in college working at the Caithness Shelter Home, where her compassion and steady presence quickly became unmistakable. She went on to work for the federal government in Washington, D.C., and later spent 13 years in leadership roles with NASA, where she was known not just for her intelligence and dedication, but for the way she fiercely mentored those around her. No matter the setting, Terry had a rare ability to see the best in people and help them see it in themselves.
After retiring, she returned fully to what had always mattered most to her: caring for those who couldn’t care for themselves. She volunteered with the SPCA of Annapolis, Respite Retreats, and at the Wellness House of Annapolis, where she used her yoga certification to support cancer patients - walking alongside others through a journey she herself knew intimately. She inspired everyone she met to give what they had in excess, whether that was money, time, energy, or love.
To those who know her, Terry was love incarnate. She worked tirelessly to ensure that everyone around her felt like family, never judging, never diminishing, always listening. Her house in Annapolis was a refuge - a place for a home-cooked meal, a soft landing, a long conversation, or simply a place to rest. Whatever she had extra, she gave away freely, including her care, her attention, and her boundless compassion.
She was preceded in death by her beloved sister, Maureen Conroy; her mother, Esther “Libby” Farlow; and her father, James Joseph Conroy.
She leaves behind her devoted husband, Michael Merrill Niner; her eldest, Kelly Niner, their partner Michelle Dixon, and her treasured grandchild Davey Hunter; her youngest, Bex Niner, their partner Jacob Landis, and her beloved grandchild Wren Landis Niner. She is also survived by her loyal pit bull, Queenie, who never left her side throughout her cancer treatment and remained a constant source of comfort and companionship.
A Celebration of Life will be held on Saturday, January 24, 2026, at 10:00 a.m. at the Unitarian Universalist Church on Bestgate Road in Annapolis, Maryland. Those who attend are encouraged to come with hearts full of stories.
In lieu of flowers (which Terry famously disliked - “they die”), donations may be made in her honor to the SPCA of Annapolis or Respite Retreats, organizations that reflect the values she lived every day.
Theresa Louise Conroy leaves behind a legacy of generosity, mentorship, and radical kindness. The world is gentler, braver, and more loving because she was in it, and all who knew her are forever changed for the better.
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