Theresa "Terry" Ann (Sturtevant) Gaydos, age 75, of Stratford passed away peacefully on Thursday, May 4, 2023.  Terry was born in Lewiston, Maine on March 4, 1948 to the late Glenn and Elizabeth (Wood) Sturtevant.  After living in South Paris, Maine into her early teenage years, Terry and her family relocated to Bridgeport.  It was at Harding High School, where Terry met the love of her life and future husband, Joseph (Joe) Gaydos.

As a high school student, Terry was extremely dedicated to her studies and her work outside of school.  In addition to being a student, she worked as a waitress at Howard Johnson's Resturant in Bridgeport.  Terry often worked late into the night, studying upon her return home, all the while focusing on her goals.  Throughout her Senior year and the year following, Terry anxiously awaited Joe's return from his deployment in Vietman and enjoyed driving around in her hard earned, brand new, 1966 GTO. Upon Joe's return, the high school sweethearts married in the fall of 1968 and eventually settled in Stratford where they remained lifelong residents.  Terry and Joe were happily married for 54 years upon Joe's passing at the end of September, 2022.

After serving as a waitress for many years, Terry gained employment at Connecticut National Bank, and then Shawmut Bank as she and Joe built their live together and raised their two sons.  In the fall of 1995, Terry was hired by the Stratford Public Schools as a Secretary.  For 22 amazing years, she absolutely loved serving the students, staff, and families of Eli Whitney Elementary School and Flood Middle School until her retirement in 2017.

In retirement, Terry enjoyed exercising, reading, and enjoying time with her friends and family. Terry also found a renewed sense of spirituality, spending time each day praying and reading the Bible.

Terry is survived by her devoted children, Joseph P. Gaydos Jr. and his wife Alexandra, Michael S. Gaydos and his wife Carrie, and her cherished grandchildren, Isabella, Hailey, Kamryn, and Nathan.  Terry also leaves behind her sister, Linda (Sturtevant) Vargo and her brother-in-law George, her sister Janice (Sturtevant) Forgette and her brother-in-law Robert, her brother Mark Sturtevant, her brother-in-law Robert "Butch" Pasuth, her sister-in-law June Sturtevant, several nieces and nephews, and her dearest friend Patricia Waugh.  In addition to being predeceased by her parents and husband, Terry is also predeceased by her sister Glenis (Sturtevant) Pasuth, and her brother Glenn Sturtevant, Jr.

Terry's family would like to extend their gratitude to the staff of Bridgeport Hospital and Yale New Haven Hospital for their care and graciousness in her final days.  Friends may greet the family on Monday, May 8, 2023 from 9-10:30 AM in the Adzima Funeral Home at 50 Paradise Green Place Stratford, CT. A prayer service will be at 10:30 AM followed by interment in St. John's Cemetery Stratford. For more information or to make an online condolence please visit www.adzimafuneralhome.com