Terry Harris Forest

Terry Harris Forest answered heaven’s call while under excellent hospice care at the Chester County Hospital on Wednesday, April 21. She passed this life peacefully surrounded by the love of family and friends.

Born in Coatesville to the late John (Jack) and Virginia Davis she moved to the Downingtown area when she was 10 years old. As a young girl, Terry would take trips with parents and older brother Allen to White Crystal along the Chesapeake Bay. She was part of district choir and graduated from Downingtown High School in 1967.

As a young woman, Terry earned her Real Estate license and started her professional career with Hayes Realty before joining forces with Brian Jordan for many years and most recently as the owner of Century 21 Precision Realty. She was one of the first women real estate agents to break into the male dominated commercial real estate market earning her CCIM (Certified Commercial Investment Member) designation. She also achieved the prestigious CENTURION® status at Century 21.

Never satisfied with the status quo, Terry pushed for change and enjoyed learning new things. She was the first female member of the Coatesville Rotary and was also active in the Downingtown Chamber of Commerce. She would take classes to learn everything from how to install dimmer switches, to handling freon, and how to be a local judge.

Throughout her career and life, Terry impacted the lives of everyone around her. She loved life and wanted to share it with others. She will always be remembered by her infectious laughter and being the life of every party. It was always easy to find Terry in a crowd, you only needed to listen for her distinctive laugh, which quite often could be found at the Thorndale Inn.

She was very close with her daughter Melissa who also worked with her at Century 21 Precision Realty. Despite working with her every day, Terry would call Melissa every morning to ask her what she was going to be doing that day and again every evening to ask her what she had accomplished. They also enjoyed taking a lunch break together and indulging in some daytime “trash TV” while they ate.

Terry enjoyed sharing the latest gadgets and toys with her family and friends. These were ways to have new experiences with those she loved. From planning new ways to celebrate holidays and special occasions to finding new places to visit, Terry was all about doing it together. She loved people and bringing those she loved together. Breakfast was her favorite meal. She and her friend “Breakfast Debbie” would go to different restaurants and rate them based on the quality of their breakfasts.

Another example of Terry’s love of life and experiences was her enrolling herself and husband John in a First Responder’s course and completing it!

Terry was very selfless, always thinking of others first. From phone calls to writing letters and sending gift cards on birthdays, Terry wanted to share love and support. People were not the only beneficiaries of her love. She also shared that with her 2 Maltese dogs, Einstein and Georgie.

Terry loved to read and she loved to read while relaxing in the bathtub. For many years, she would read paperback books but in recent years made the switch to the Kindle. However, she would often fall asleep while reading in the tub which resulted in the loss of several Kindles. Needless to say, she was one of the early adopters of the water-proof Kindle when it came out.

For many years Terry enjoyed time at her place at Pot-Nets, near Rehoboth Beach. She was even known for leading a parade of golf carts decorated with Christmas lights around the community.

Terry was a fighter. While diagnosed with chronic heart failure and only given 5 years to live, she went on to enjoy 10 more years of life.

Terry married John Forest in 2017. She was previously married to the late Ronald C. Harris for 26 years, who died in 2014. Terry’s first husband was the late Timothy Anderson with whom they had two children together.

Surviving her, in addition to her husband John, is her daughter Melissa Roop-Pennypacker (Charles); son John T. Anderson; two brothers, Allen L. Davis (Lucy) and Gregory S. Davis (Mary); Step-Children: Susan Schemmering, Sally Harris, Vanessa Yeingst (Chris), James Forest (Tarri), Tony Forest.  Grandchildren: Randy, Meghan, Jordan P, Jessica, Madeline, Benjamin, Cassandra, Jordan L., Peyton, Brynli, Jaxson, Darius, Alexander, Cameron, Zachary, Arianna, Dylan.  Great grandchildren:  Catori , Josie, and Ellie. Plus many nieces and nephews.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the American Heart Association.

Graveside services will be held at 2 p.m., Wednesday, April 28, 2021 at Hephzibah Cemetery, 2237 Strasburg Road, East Fallowfield, PA 19320

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