Terry Oakes Bourret, 71, of Durham, CT passed away unexpectedly on Tuesday, March 17, 2015, along with her beloved husband, Donald Bourret, and their dog, Henry.

Terry was the daughter of the late John Allen Oakes, Sr. and Frances (Trapasso) Oakes of Hartford, CT. She is survived by her brother, John Oakes, Jr., of Simsbury, CT.

Terry graduated from Hall High School in West Hartford and the Saint Francis School of Nursing in 1964. She worked as a Head Nurse and IV nurse and became known as the "Duck Lady" because she drew cartoon ducks on patients' IV bandages. She left nursing in 1978 with the encouragement of her husband to begin a second career as an artist and teacher. She studied with the internationally known artist, Helen Van Wyk, of Rockport, MA who became her mentor. She studied with many other fine artists, but Charles Sovek and Charles Movalli had the strongest influence on her growth as an outdoor Plein Air Painter. She taught private and group sessions at her studio in Durham and other venues, but her focus was always on the importance of using the art process to be mindful and aware of the beauty of daily life.

Terry was an elected member of a number of prestigious art organizations including the Catherine Lorrilard Wolfe Art Club in NYC, the Lyme Art Association, New Haven Paint and Clay, CT Plein Aire Painters (CPAPS), the Clinton Art Association, and the CT Woman Artists. She received numerous awards and exhibited regularly at the National Arts Club and the Salmugundi Club in NYC.

Most recently, she became involved in causes for the prevention of animal abuse and especially for the prevention of chemical use on lawns due to the death of her beloved therapy dog, Murphy, at 5 years of age due to "pesticide drift." Over the years, Terry and Don had rescued a total of eight dogs. Henry and Hoppy, the cat and four parakeets were their most recent pets. Terry also felt "truly blessed" to have lived with the "love of her life" and "best friend" for more than 40 years, and felt that her marriage to Don was the most important part of her life.

Memorial Services for Terry Oakes Bourret and Don Bourret will be held April 21, 2015 from 11a.m. to 2 p.m. at The Pavillion at Crystal Lake, 144 Prout Hill Rd., Middletown, CT.  Please dress appropriate and colorful and bring a pen or other writing implement; journals or sketchbooks are optional.  Please RSVP by April 15 with number attending to: simoneghowe@aol.com

Donations to the CT Humane Society, Willie's Friends, or Animal Haven in memory of "Henry" would be appreciated.