Deidre Ellen Terry

Deirdre (nee Hammett) Blinka Terry left the challenges of failing health behind on April 1, 2025, on her own terms, when she was ready, at the age of 92, in her home in Alpine, Texas. Her mind, ever sharp and seeking, and her spirit, always engaged and loving, will continue to inspire and comfort all who knew her as well as all those she served with wisdom and care. 

Deirdre, known by most in Waco as Dee Blinka, was born to Irene and Edward “Ted” Hammett on January 10,1933 in England. Six years later, World War II began. Her childhood was marked by trauma and the uncertainties of war and separation from family. She recounted how, as children, they were sent to the Yorkshire countryside to avoid bombing raids on Plymouth. Dee’s commitment to peace and to serving others was forged in the fires of war. 

Deirdre (Dee) was the wife of Martin Terry, her treasured friend, and partner in life, service, and research. She was a lifelong scholar practitioner. She read constantly to satisfy her desire to learn and engaged in research and deep thinking about mental health and peace and justice for all. Dee’s colleagues remember her as a legendary therapist; a professional guiding light; and a truly positive resource in her field with a talent for communicating complex concepts with depth and ease. Dee was the proud mother of two children, Mary Stanley Renouf, an attorney in Dallas, Texas and Simon Stanley, a retired engineer and attorney. 

She was a loving mother-in-law and friend to Beth Mahoney Stanley with whom she had a strong bond. She loved the way that her son-in-law Jerry Renouf takes care of Mary. 

Dee spent 38 years with her husband Wayne Blinka in Waco where she gained her reputation as a therapist in her private practice. They remained friends. During their marriage, they enjoyed going to their Retreat near Big Bend National Park. 

Dee earned an MA from Oxford followed by a Masters in Psychiatric Social Work from University of Bristol in 1957. It was there that her passion for Botswana began when she met a student from Botswana (Dr. Gaositwe Chiepe, MBE) who became a lifelong friend. Dee’s journey of social work practice spanned from building community and relationships in Botswana to providing healing insight and love to broken hearts and spirits in Central Texas. Her deep investment in physical, mental, and emotional health for others informed her practice as a therapist to hundreds of clients across the years. Dee was an advocate for accessible mental health services for people in Waco and surrounding communities. She understood the needs and advocated for cutting edge treatment for adolescents and all persons. 

Clients and community professionals appreciated Dee’s commitment to the latest research on human behavior and on best practices in therapy. Notably, she provided EMDR therapy and fostered the advancement of it before “it was cool” or accepted. Dee was the recipient of the prestigious EMDRIA Francine Shapiro Award in 2017. Dee and her husband of the last 10 years, Martin Terry, engaged in research together on the latest and best evidence-based treatment for those whose lives were upended with illness and trauma. She volunteered grief support for hospice staff and advocated with legislators for mental health services in the community. 

Dee is also survived by Martin’s daughters, Tammy Terry and Hannah Bott, who have loved the opportunity to develop deep and meaningful relationships with Dee over the past decade and are grateful to her for her eternal optimism and inspiration as a champion for many important causes. 

Special thanks to Heather and Kevin Bishop for their loving care of Dee and Martin and their support of the family. Heather and Kevin’s almost round-the-clock care of Dee and Martin elevated their quality of life and gave their family peace of mind, knowing that they were in good hands. Much gratitude also goes to Brian Penick for his assistance wherever needed including driving Dee and Martin to the desert research station that they dreamt of and completed for future graduate students. Heartfelt thanks also go to all Dee’s friends she knew and loved over the years as well as to Angel's Care Hospice for their services during Dee’s last days at home. 

A memorial service for Dee will be led by Reverend Doctor Leslie King at 11:00 a.m. on April 24, 2025, at Waco’s First Presbyterian Church located at 1100 Austin Ave., Waco, Texas. 

Thornton Wilder said: The highest tribute to the dead is not grief but gratitude. Even as we grieve, we remember Dee Blinka Terry’s life of service with deep gratitude.