Ethel S. Terhune

Ethel S. Terhune, a lifelong resident of Somerset County, New Jersey, passed away peacefully on March 30, 2026, leaving behind a legacy of faith, community service, and family dedication. Born Ethel Ann Stott on May 22, 1942, she was deeply rooted in her Christian faith, which was the cornerstone of her life and shaped her many years of active involvement in the Blawenburg Reformed Church and later the Harlingen Reformed Church.

Ethel’s journey began at her childhood home in the miller's cottage in the Bridgepoint section of Montgomery Township until age 16 before moving to Kingston and eventually settling in the Neshanic Station section of Hillsborough Township. Her love for adventure and friendship was fostered on the millpond where she experienced endless adventures of swimming, ice skating, fishing, boat rowing, babysitting, and mischief. Her professional life included her early work as a bookkeeper for Nassau Oil Company in Princeton, NJ, where serendipity brought her together with her late husband, Donald V. Terhune. Beyond her career in bookkeeping, Ethel co-owned and operated the Konditori Cafe for several years in Hopewell.

Ethel accepted Donald Terhune’s proposal in 1962 and began her married life on their Serendipity Farm. Her home on the Sourland Mountain provided her great comfort and peace. The endless projects fueled her indomitable spirit and she found enormous enjoyment and pride in the development of her home and family. Projects in any form gave her a sense of accomplishment. She took pleasure in enjoying the natural beauty and the wildlife she shared it with - she loved her birds.

Ethel was a woman of varied passions and talents. She was an avid gardener with a remarkable eye for flower and vegetable gardens, an accomplished floral arranger, and a skilled decorator of homes through wallpapering and painting. Her appreciation for the arts extended to frequent visits to museums, the symphony, and theater. Ethel’s adventurous spirit was reflected in her family travels in pop-ups and motor homes to visit the United States in its entirety. She was thrilled to explore Canada, France, Spain, Germany, England, Holland, and Bermuda. She could read a map and navigate any city expertly and confidently. She created “Camp Terhune” for her grandchildren as an opportunity to share her love of adventure. Her grandchildren carry on her example of adventure and exploration.

Ethel loved people. She was genuinely interested in everyone she met and could strike up conversations that developed into cherished friendships that lasted a lifetime. Celebrations and tradition were her specialty. She took every opportunity to make milestones special and it was her pleasure to plan a gathering. Ethel honored her lineage by connecting the past with the present at every opportunity. Ice cream tasted better when served in her mother’s green dish. Water was crisper when served in her grandmother’s red glass. Dinner was more special when served on her mother-in-law’s antique china.

Ethel’s contributions to her community were significant and enduring. She served as President of the Neshanic Garden Club, where she fostered a love of horticulture within the community. Her compassion was also evident through her dedicated volunteer work with Hunterdon Hospice, beginning during the challenging early years of the AIDS crisis. Notably, she was a generous blood donor over the course of her lifetime. She considered herself privileged to serve Blawenburg Church in numerous roles.

Ethel S. Terhune’s life was marked by dedication, creativity, and a profound sense of service. She leaves behind cherished memories and an enduring example of faith and compassion to inspire all who had the privilege of knowing her. She ended every day with gratitude to God for her many blessings and enjoyed a glass of a soft red blend. Ciao for now!

The family mourns the loss of their cherished mother, wife, aunt, and friend while remembering her unwavering faith, grace, and love that enriched their lives. Ethel was preceded in death by her father, John Arthur Stott, her mother, Marion (Gunther) Stott, her sister, Arlene (Stott) (Binger) Franolich, her brother, Norman Stott, and her cherished husband, Donald V. Terhune.

She is survived by her children, Amber (Terhune) Matyi and her spouse, Tom Wynkoop, Tera (Terhune) Rees and her spouse, Tom Rees, and Esther (Terhune) Jovolos, and her spouse, Greg Jovolos. Her grandchildren Arden Matyi, Garret Rees, Rachel (Matyi) Bielic and her spouse, Matthew Bielic, Blake Rees, Morgan Rees, Gregory Jovolos, and Landen Jovolos; as well as her beloved nephews, Roger and Sandy Binger, Kenneth and Susan Binger, and Douglas and Jackie Franolich; her great nephews and nieces, Glen and Amanda Binger and son, Graham, Todd and Melanie Binger, Betsy and Eric Pendergast and daughter, Rhya, and son Rhett, Lucas Binger, Jayce Franolich, and Matthew Franolich.

A memorial service will be held to honor Ethel’s life on April 4, 2026, at 11:00 a.m. at the Harlingen Reformed Church, located at 2142 US-206, Montgomery, NJ 08502. Family, friends, and community members are invited to gather and celebrate the life of a truly remarkable woman whose legacy will live on through those who knew and loved her.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Harlingen Reformed Church, 2142 US Highway 206, Belle Mead NJ 08502-4034 or the Blawenburg Reformed Church Cemetery Fund, PO Box 266, Blawenburg, NJ 08504.

Cremation services and arrangements were entrusted to the Holcombe-Fisher Funeral Home, 147 Main Street, Flemington, NJ 08822. For further information or to send an online condolence, please visit her memorial page below at www.holcombefisher.com.