Terry F. (Flett) Barakis

Terry Flett Barakis of Newbury, Massachusetts passed away on January 25, 2026, in Boston, Massachusetts. Terry was born on April 13, 1954, to Jeannette Attarian and James W. Flett in Los Angeles, California.

Terry’s life was guided by Grace, Dignity, Integrity, and Respect, while giving Love and Empathy in equal measure. She was known for her humor, warmth, and dedication to maintaining long term relationships reaching back decades. She had the gift of hospitality, having  the capacity to make people feel wanted and welcome. She was also known to quickly respond to a friend in need of a conversation, or even, when required, a plane flight to assist that friend.

Her intelligence and insight allowed her to emphasize the best of abilities in others, which they found to be uplifting. Her love of books, movies, and food was well known. Incredibly quick-witted and funny, she could successfully pull together interesting and disparate groups of people at her gatherings.

A 1971 graduate of South Hills High School in Covina, California, she attended the University of Southern California, graduating with a degree in psychology, and studied Russian language and literature as well as taking two courses in geology. She attended the University of San Diego School of Law and earned her law degree in 1979.

Terry had a distinguished law career, practicing at firms in San Diego, Los Angeles, Dallas, and Houston. After practicing at other firms in Los Angeles, she established her own practice until she relocated to Dallas with her husband. She was a tremendously gifted transactional and real estate lawyer, having the ability to structure complex transactions which emphasized their practical considerations and resolutions in an expedient manner. She is remembered by her colleagues as a warm and patient mentor, a skilled advocate, and a fantastically talented lawyer with a sharp sense of humor. Terry served as a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Section of the California State Bar Association, where she was responsible for proposing and reviewing legislation concerning California businesses. She was also a member of the Executive Committee of the Business Section of the Beverly Hills Bar Association. She was highly regarded as a speaker in various women’s professional groups regarding the negotiation and documentation of business and real estate transactions. 

Terry met her husband Stephen in Los Angeles while they were both at USC graduate school. They were married in 1988 in Athens, Greece. Terry often spoke about being adopted into a wonderful Greek family and the joy it brought to her life. She was proud of her Armenian and Scotch Irish heritage. No visit to Los Angeles was complete unless it included a visit to her favorite Armenian bakery.

The Barakis family lived in several states including Alaska, California, Texas, and Massachusetts. Wherever they would go, Terry was quick to make their house a home that welcomed friends and new neighbors who became good friends. Most recently, they moved to Newbury, Massachusetts where she and Stephen restored a colonial home.

Terry and Stephen have one child, Adrienne Alexandra. Terry very much loved and was devoted to her daughter Adrienne. Terry supported Adrienne’s interest in school, sports, and music. They shared a deep connection in music, and both played piano. When Adrienne was young, they never missed an American Idol episode. As Adrienne grew up and her interest and talent in music expanded to include percussion instruments, they went to concerts, plays, and musicals. Most recently they went to Boston to see a Tina Turner tribute review. Terry encouraged Adrienne’s interest in music, showing her support and dedication to Adrienne through never missing a practice, a rehearsal, a band camp, a performance, or a show. Terry was very proud of Adrienne becoming a music teacher and attending college for music performance.

Terry was involved in many activities during her life including EfM (Education for Ministry), a 3-year long program held at the Episcopal church. She enjoyed her time as a member of the P.E.O., a philanthropic organization that supports women's education through scholarships, grants, loans, and Cottey College. She was a member of the chapter in  Newburyport where she served as Chaplain. She was a member of a Houston Chapter and assisted with forming a new chapter in Houston. Terry’s faith was important to her, and she lived her life reflective of her love of people through her actions and deeds. She was always ready to offer a helping hand to those in need. Terry made time to co-lead a Girl Scout group and arrange events.

Terry immensely enjoyed cooking and entertaining. Any invitation from her was sure to result in a fabulous meal and great conversation around the table. Terry designed her dining room to have the look and feel of a library complete with books and very comfortable chairs to encourage post-dinner discussions. Cooking was more than a hobby for Terry; it was a creative outlet that she used to bring people together for major holidays, significant occasions, and celebrations. It was not unusual for Terry to invite twenty or more people over for a Holiday celebration. She would seek out people, always asking if a person had someplace to go for a holiday, and if not, she would not hesitate to invite them to her home. She also valued her cookbook collection. It was from that collection that she donated a first-edition, autographed Julia Child cookbook, to a fundraising auction for the Anchorage Symphony. In addition, she and a close friend operated a catering business “Waiting for Good Dough,” while she was practicing law in Los Angeles.

She enjoyed reading all types of literature and engaging in lively political discussions and debates. She was a member of the Debate Club during her college years. She was a member of a small, but long-standing book club in Newburyport, where she enjoyed the members as well as the literature. Terry prided herself on the number of books she had read in her lifetime, as they addressed all types of literature. Targeted podcasts were another area where she enjoyed keeping up with current events and opinions. She enjoyed all types of music from Motown to Classical. She would seek out local theater and concert performances. Another interest of hers known by very few people was that Terry was a certified scuba diver and made dives in Martinique as well as Southern California. White water rafting was also a passion of Terry’s where she particularly enjoyed the rafting in Alaska.

Terry loved traveling and would start planning a trip as soon as the location was identified with Steve. She very much enjoyed traveling in Europe and especially loved her selected restaurant destinations.

Terry was preceded in death by her parents and sister, Linda. She is survived by Stephen and Adrienne. Terry was a lover of animals. Her dog Buckley and grand dog Sticks will miss her gentle words and belly rubs. She will be deeply missed by her friends and family more than words can describe. We will forever hold her memory in our hearts until the day we are reunited with her.

Visitation is on February 20, 2026, from 4:00 to 8:00 PM at the Twomey, LeBlanc & Conte Funeral Home at 193 High Street Newburyport, MA.

The Funeral service will be held at St Paul’s Episcopal Church at 166 High Street Newburyport, MA on February 21, 2026, starting at 10:00 AM.

For directions or to offer online condolences please visit www.tlcfuneralhome.com

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