Theresa J. Soldati, 52, fought the good fight and finished her race at her home in Rumson on Tuesday, September 6, surrounded by those whom she loved. She had courageously battled Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma since 2013. Terry was born in Summit and had lived in Bridgewater and Brooklyn, New York, prior to moving to Rumson in 1994, summering most of her life in Manasquan, where she served as the town’s first female lifeguard in 1980.
She received her bachelor of arts degrees in foreign language (Spanish) and speech communication from East Stroudsburg University, Pennsylvania, having studied abroad in Spain for one year.
Terry was an avid swimmer, runner and skier, having competed in National Collegiate Athletic Association division one female swim competitions, running in the NYC Marathon in 2004 (4:16) and skiing the slopes of Vail, Colorado, Austria, Italy, France and Spain.
She traveled the world as a senior vice president of sales planning and retail development (home furnishings) for Ralph Lauren, Revman Inc., Sheridan Australia, and Croscill, Inc. all in Manhattan.
Terry is survived by her husband, Dr. Cyril J Beard III; her son, James Michael Baxter Soldati, at home; her mother, Phyllis Beyer Baxter of Bridgewater; and her sisters, Barbara “Beanie” Baxter of Ocean Gate and Elizabeth Nancy Baxter of Knowlton. She was predeceased by her father, James Burton Baxter in 1994; her brother, James Craig Baxter in 2000; and her yellow labrador retriever, Buster, in August 2016. She was formerly married to Michael Soldati.
Memorial donations may be made to the Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma Organization International (ACCOI), POB 665, Hartsville, SC 29551. Those who knew and loved her are asked to raise a glass of a proper Napa Valley Chardonnay to her memory.
