Terri L. Boyko-Wade

TERRI L. BOYKO-WADE, 69, of Parma, Ohio and a lifelong Cleveland and vicinity resident, suddenly died at home on Tuesday, March 24, 2026.

She was born on September 12, 1956, in Cleveland, Ohio, the first of three daughters born to Virgil E. and Donna Mae (Lauder) Wade. She grew up in Cleveland where she attended Denison Grade School, Thomas Jefferson Jr. High, and graduated from Lincoln West High School in 1974. During high school, she also spent brief times studying at Christian Academies in Loveland, Colorado and Spangle, Washington. Following high school, she studied at the Virginia Marti College of Art and Design, now known as the North Coast College, in Cleveland, Ohio.

Terri grew up in Cleveland during a time when they played outside every possible moment and came home at days dark end. She enjoyed the family above ground pool in the summers with her family and friends. During the summer months, they all spent a lot of time with their grandparents, aunts, uncles and cousins in Cleveland as well as Kentucky.

After graduating from high school, Terri spent a lot of time dancing at the clubs in the Cleveland Flats. She was a popular and accomplished dancer. During this time, she had a Royal Blue Pontiac Firebird with the Phoenix on the hood.

When she was younger, she worked at General Motors in the production line of Cadillacs where she would sew Cadillac emblems on seat backs. She took a brief leave from General Motors in 1981-1982 where she journeyed to Parachute, Colorado (where her sister Loretta lived as well as her sister Barbara for a brief time) for the oil shale boom until “Black Sunday” hit on May 2, 1982, and the projects and town shut down immediately. Terri returned home to Cleveland and General Motors for several more years. She was an accomplished Seamstress and worked many decades as a seamstress, in production and as Project Supervisor at Western Reserve Sewing and Ohio Awning Company. She worked in many facets of the business. She was a designer and made Professional Sports Uniforms, Door Draft Sweepers (as seen on TV), Renaissance Garments, Mary Grace Burial Garments, custom sporting equipment bags, specialized safety padded ski helmets, automotive and aircraft seat covers. She designed a head protection system for military helmets that focused on mitigating traumatic brain injuries. She was quite genius at designing and engineering a broad spectrum of inventions.

She met Bruce Boyko and they became life partners for nearly forty years. Together they made their homes in various suburbs of Cleveland before settling in the Parma area. They enjoyed antiquing, travel and their time boating out on Lake Erie. They even ran an antique shop for 20 years together. Terri and Bruce were constant companions and as Bruce would put it, she was the love of his life and they were inseparable.

Terri was a fabulous cook and was a master gardener who grew an amazing flower and vegetable garden every year. She was a lover of dogs and had many as a part of her family through the years. Dogs were her lifetime comfort companions.

Terri became a Todd Rundgren fan in her teenage years and enjoyed his music throughout her lifetime. A highlight of her life was attending multiple concerts of his, including many Meet and Greets, the latest being the summer of 2025. She loved all kinds of music, often sharing videos of songs she loved.

Terri was one of 3 sisters. Loretta was one year younger, and Terri referred to her as her first baby sister. Barbara was almost 10 years younger and was the baby sister. Through the years they had many adventures, memories, and fun. Terri lost her mother when she was 30 and her mother was 48. A devastation for the whole family. Terri stepped up as the matriarch of the family, making sure everyone was kept informed of family events, activities, and occurrences. After that Terri became the one who made sure her dad was cared for (her sisters lived out of state) chauffeured and able to enjoy the many activities he wanted to do. She was able to bring him in as an employee at Ohio Awning and worked beside him for a couple of years. She took great pride in their relationship. Bruce and her nephew David also worked alongside her. She became her dads guardian and made sure he was cared for, including having him live with his daughter Loretta in Washington for 4-8 months a year for his last several years of life.

She is survived by her life partner, Bruce Boyko, Parma, Ohio; two sisters, Loretta J. Wilson and husband Jeffrey, Wenatchee, WA and Barbara A. Sergent and husband, Doug, Jupiter, Florida; Sister-in-law Mary Ann Boyko Barylski of Huron, two aunts, Lou (Scully) Suraz, Lewiston, Idaho and Linda (Wade) Armstrong, Tacoma, WA, nieces and nephews, Jacqueline (Scott) Adamek, East Wenatchee, WA, David (Angela) Willsey, Wenatchee, WA, Grace, Isabelle, Jack, Saradonna and Elise Sergent all of Jupiter, Florida, two step nieces Emily and Katie and 8 great nieces and nephews. Terri is also survived by her large network of cousins, friends, and co-workers.

Terri never failed to tell you she loved you. Her nieces and nephews fondly remember her saying “I Love You Big Much.” She will be remembered as a generous person, always willing to jump in and help where help was needed, even before she was asked.

Family and friends received at THE RIPEPI FUNERAL HOME, 5762 PEARL RD.(AT SNOW RD.), WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2026 from 3-7 p.m..