| Date of Birth | November 1, 1934 |
| Passed Away | August 18, 2025 |
NAPLES – Terry DeMello, born Rose Agnes Santana, passed away peacefully on August 18, 2025 at home in Naples, NY at the age of 90. She was born on November 1, 1934, in Kapaia, Kauai, Hawaii and was the beloved granddaughter of Jack and Victoria DeMello, who lovingly raised her on their farm on the Big Island of Hawaii.
She was preceded in death by her grandparents, Jack and Victoria DeMello; her mother, Katherine DeMello; her children, John Lee Svoboda (Delaney), Larry Kohn, Jacqueline Kohn, and her husband Michael Taylor. She is survived by her companion of many years John Delaney, her daughters, Leslie (Deb) Svoboda (Delaney), Sally Kohn and her stepchildren Richard Svoboda Jr., Theresa Lundquist and Michael Svoboda; 15 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren who will carry forward her legacy of love, strength and creativity.
Terry lived a life that was filled with adventure, grace and artistry. Though Hawaii was always her heart’s home, her life carried her across the world living in New York, California and more than 20 years in Australia. She proudly celebrated her Portuguese Hawaiian heritage everywhere she lived while also adopting and honoring Australian culture as her own.
Terry was a true artist and expressed herself in many ways. She created heirloom Hawaiian quilts, painted and sewed countless pieces, wrote with passion, cooked with creativity and even modeled and danced hula in her younger years. Her gardens bloomed like something out of a fairytale full of vibrant flowers and fruits. She also had a deep love for animals from her cherished Chihuahuas, cats or the wild animals she always found a way to feed and care for.
Of all her passions, nothing brought Terry more happiness than her Ohana. She loved deeply and was most happy when she was surrounded by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Her life was a beautiful tapestry that was woven with heritage, creativity, resilience and devotion to family. Terry’s spirit will continue to live on in every quilt stitched, every garden bloomed, every recipe cooked, and every story told by those who loved her.
Services will be held at a later date.
This obituary was lovingly written by her granddaughter, Blythe Luana DeClerck.
Bishop & DeSanto Funeral Home, Avoca, is honored to assist Terry’s family with the arrangements.
Online condolences or remembrances are welcome below under ‘Share a Memory’, or on the Facebook Page of Bishop-Johnson & DeSanto Funeral Home.
