Terri (Goldenberg) Sorrentino

Terri Sorrentino

1959 – 2023

Terri Sorrentino, 64, of Danbury, formerly of Long Island, NY, wife of Guy Sorrentino, passed away unexpectedly on Monday, August 14, 2023, at White Plains Hospital, White Plains, NY, following a medical procedure.

Terri was born in the Elmhurst section of Queens, New York on June 30, 1959, the daughter of the late Norman and Shirley (Shalefsky) Goldenberg. She grew up in Laurelton, Queens, and later moved to Great Neck, NY, as a teenager.

Terri attended secondary New York schools.  She graduated from SUNY-Stony Brook in 1982 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Psychology and attained her Master of Arts degree in Education from St. John’s University in 1996.

Terri began her professional career as an employee of New York Telephone and retired after 15 years of service, preferring to pursue her dream of becoming an educator. She taught in the NYC education system for nearly 20 years, touching the lives of children from all walks of life. Terri maintained contact with several of her students for many years after leaving her class.

Terri has been a resident of Danbury for the past 18 months, after moving from the south shore of Long Island. Since relocating to Danbury, Terri enjoyed the solitude, simplicity, and natural environment with her husband. Among the things that brought her great joy in her new home were caring for her flowers, feeding the wildlife, and working in her garden. During her time in Danbury, she began working at the library and found happiness and connection in the community.

Terri had a curious spirit with a flair for adventure. She learned to fly a plane, drove a race car on a professional track, rode on her husband’s Harley Davidson, and ziplined through a jungle in Central America, all in recent years. Towards the end of her working career and early retirement, Terri and her husband developed a renewed love for travel. They invested in a vacation club and visited Mexico and the Caribbean several times a year. In her typical fashion, Terri made many lasting friendships on these trips. She was always looking to broaden her horizons and perspectives. Terri was also a true lover of the arts, always nurturing and encouraging her children, grandchildren, and friends to be their most creative selves.

Terri had an absolutely amazing smile that would light up a room and make people laugh. Terri drew people to her, whether they’d known each other for years or were meeting for the first time. She was vivacious, full of energy, and supremely positive. Most of all, she had a beautiful soul and a kind heart. Everyone who knew Terri was touched by her goodness.

The family was first and foremost to Terri. To say that Terri was a great mother would be an understatement. She loved her children so completely and unconditionally. Her positive influence on them will live in perpetuity. Whether encouraging them on their latest endeavor or accomplishment, listening intently and providing guidance to their questions about life, sharing funny Instagrams, or just being a cheerleader, her children always knew she was in their corner.

As a grandmother (aka Kiki), Terri was constantly teaching lessons, having fun, and making her two grandchildren hysterically laugh. Being goofy and fun was just Terri’s way.

Terri and her husband enjoyed an incredible, loving relationship. She loved her parents and was greatly influenced by them. Despite being on opposite sides of the country, Terri maintained a close relationship with her brother, Harry. Terri was always the person getting cousins, other relatives, and friends together for Zoom calls and meetings to keep family history, traditions, and memories alive. This was especially true during the years of the pandemic, when she prioritized family connections in deep meaningful ways, taking time to visit family like her nieces Abby and Ginna, nephews, cousins, and children along the coast to check in on their well-being and provide levity.

The world has lost such an incredible person with her passing.

In addition to Guy, her husband of twenty-two years, she leaves two daughters, Pangea and Amanda, a son, Jacob, and two brothers, Harry and Glenn, two grandchildren, Jack and Lilah, and many, many friends.

She also leaves behind her eight feline friends-- Louie, Pumpkin, Luda, Sylvia, Finny, Lialah, Bigboy, and King.

A Celebration of Life gathering will take place on Sunday, August 27, from noon to 4 pm at Sam's of Gedney Way in White Plains, NY, 10605 (50 Gedney Way).

You can find more images of Terri, learn more about the Celebration of Life and RSVP, donate to animal sanctuaries in Terri’s honor, and more at https://sites.google.com/view/terrisorrentino/home

To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Terri (Goldenberg) Sorrentino, please visit our floral store.