BERNE — Terry (née VanDyke) Schinnerer, along with her husband, was a beloved school bus driver for Berne-Knox-Westerlo for more than 30 years.

“What you may not know is that I have been around the bus garage since I was 5 years old,” Mrs. Schinnerer wrote when she retired a decade ago. “My dad started driving when I went to kindergarten, as I did when my daughter started school … As much as I love this job, I want to leave it before I stay too long.”

Born Nov. 6, 1957, she died suddenly on Wednesday, July 5, 2023, at St. Peter’s Hospital in Albany with her husband of 46 years, Barry, at her side. She was 65.

When she had been on the job for 21 years, Mrs. Schinnerer told The Enterprise, “Kids see me throughout their school career. I’m the most constant person in their school life. I drive them from kindergarten through senior high. We know if the mom’s car isn’t in the driveway and we make provisions.”

Mrs. Schinnereer told the Class of 2002 when she was chosen as a graduation speaker, “Make a difference in the life of a child. There is nothing more rewarding in life.” A sense of humor is also essential, she said.

“Terry and Barry were an inspirational married couple,” her family wrote in a tribute, “both sharing equally in their roles within their marriage partnership as well as in the love and commitment they felt for each other. Therefore, there is no doubt that even in death Terry will always be close to Barry.

“Terry was the type of person who gave more of everything to others than she ever took for herself. She had a huge heart and was the life of any party. Her dedication and love for her daughter, Billie Jo, was ever evident even when they were separated by an ocean.

“When she was blessed with her three grandchildren, Theron, Evan, and Serenity, she poured as much love and devotion into them, even waking in the middle of the night for video play dates on a daily basis.

“Terry believed that, if you did a job that you loved, then you would never work a day in your life. She loved the 34 years she spent as a school bus driver for the Berne-Knox-Westerlo School District. She was legendary for her outrageous costumes, water fights, and pizza parties complete with burping contests but mostly she was known for her compassion, love, and encouragement she gave to each and every child she met.

“Terry was truly blessed to have a good circle of friends with whom she and Barry enjoyed regular social visits and of course Terry always enjoyed a good cup of coffee. 

“Terry would not have wanted to be remembered with tears but instead laughter. Instead of a funeral she would prefer people remember her by sharing acts of love and kindness to others. Terry’s family will be celebrating her life privately.”

Cremation arrangements were entrusted to the Fredendall Funeral Home in Altamont.