Terri Lynn Engelsher's Obituary
Terri Lynn Engelsher of The Villages, Florida passed away peacefully on May 26, 2025 after a short battle with cancer. The award winning multi talented beloved publicist was widely known as a “PR dynamo.”
Terri was born and raised in New York, her mother Marsha was a travel agent and her father Harvey was a surgeon and inventor of medical devices. He would patent them and reach out to journalists for coverage - giving Terri the glimpse into publicity which would become her greatest work and joy.
In her youth she was a competitive figure skater who skated along the famed Olympian Dorothy Hamill in Lake Placid.
Terri graduated from American University in Washington D.C. with a degree in business and international studies. She worked for Dow Chemical company and with her mother in the travel industry before launching her publicity business that would thrive for over 40 years.
Terri’s indefatigable spirit, spunk and tenacity coupled with “news know how” would garner local, national and international news across all media platforms for a wide range of clientele. Some of the most famous clients included Margaret Thatcher, former Prime Minister of the United Kingdom; Henry Kissinger, former Secretary of State; and singer Celine Dion. One of her most memorable nights of her professional career was working on the Red Carpet with the cast of The Sopranos.
Terri met the love of her life, Mark Young, in 1995. She was the media representative for the parents of missing and murdered child Jimmy Ryce in what was one of Miami’s most high profile, tragic news stories. Mark was an assignment editor at the CBS station in Miami and they just clicked. For the years following the passing of Don Ryce, Jimmy’s father, Terri and Mark valiantly carried the torch in leading the Jimmy Ryce Foundation, which has provided search and rescue bloodhounds to hundreds of law enforcement agencies over 30 years.
For her dedication and service to the Foundation Terri was honored in 2022 with the Daily Point of Light Award for volunteerism.
Terri never sought the spotlight or cared for accolades—recognition was never her motivation. What truly mattered to her was the work itself and the stories she had the privilege to tell. Every project was personal, every client more than just business—they were family. Her selflessness, humility, and deep sense of purpose defined her, and her legacy lives on in the countless lives she touched with grace, honesty, and heart.
She had a presence that effortlessly commanded a room—strong, warm, and full of life. She never showed up without treats, and she always made sure you ate. Whether it was a meal, a moment of comfort, or her undivided attention, she gave generously, making everyone feel seen, cared for, and at home.
Terri is survived by brother David Engelsher; her partner of 30 years Mark Young, Mark’s daughter Jennifer Young and her significant other Matthew Reese; Mark’s son Geoffrey Young, his wife Danielle and a granddaughter Olivia. She leaves behind scores of friends admirers and former clients.
Graveside Service will be held on Wednesday May 28, 2025, at 2:30 p.m., at Lakeside Memorial Park. located at 10301 NW 25th Street, Doral FL 33172.
In her memory and in lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made to the Jimmy Ryce Center, a cause so close to Terri’s heart. Your generosity will honor her memory in a meaningful way and continue the legacy of compassion and care that she shared with so many. https://jimmyryce.org/donate/
Arrangement by Levitt Weinstein Blasberg Rubin Zilbert Memorial Chapel (305) 932-2700.
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