Maria Teresa Vasquez

(1930-2023)

Loving and devoted wife and family matriarch Teresa Vasquez, 93, of Johnson City, Texas was called to her heavenly home on November 9, 2023. She was born in Juarez, Mexico, on October 15, 1930, to Ramon Mendoza and Librada Lugo, who instilled foundational values of faith, family and community. After graduating high school in Mexico, Teresa worked as a switchboard operator and helped support her family. She was a quick learner at the telephone company, and was proud of her ability to remember telephone numbers. Her years in the workforce were short lived when she married the love of her life, Hector Vasquez, at the age of 20 on February 25, 1950 in Juarez, Mexico.

After they started a family of their own, Hector moved them to El Paso. Teresa was a homemaker and supported her husband's education and career for over 40 years.  Constantly seeking a better life for their children, that took them from Texas to California.

They retired comfortably back in old El Paso while staying up to date on community culture, local news and state and federal politics. Teresa loved to accompany her husband as he sang in the church choir or other music venues. They enjoyed biking, walking and camping in their VW bus and, of course, dancing. Never missing an opportunity to vote, they were grateful for the wonderful life they had established in this country and were patriots to the end.

Teresa was known for her infectious projecting laugh, her zest for life, and ready smile. We couldn't have asked for a better family matriarch. She will be missed, and her memory will live on in the hearts of all those who loved her. There will not be a public funeral service, but Teresa will be honored and memorialized every day in how her remaining family live by loving unconditionally and serving fiercely.

Maria Teresa was preceded in death by her husband Hector Vasquez, siblings Irma Minjarez, Graciela Gamez, Humberto Mendoza, and daughter Teresa Jamrozek. She is survived by siblings Ramon and Hector Mendoza. And, her primary caregivers Marta and George Pearce, eldest child and husband of Johnson City, TX. Grandchildren:  Susana & Ben Urbancyzk of Austin, TX, Manny & Jynna Duarte of Gunter, TX, Maria Greaney of 29 Palms, CA, Lucina and Vanessa Greaney of Rancho Cucamonga, CA, and Michael and Fina Greaney of San Bernadino, CA. Great grandchildren: Aubrey Duarte, Luke Thorne, Zane Duarte; and Joseph, Mati, Leiu, Nathan and Luna Greaney. And, several cousins, nieces and nephews.

Teresa's family would like to extend a special thank you to the family and friends who supported and prayed for all of us. God bless the caring and compassionate staff at the LBJ Medical Center in Johnson City, TX, Baylor, Scott and White and the Methodist HCM Hospice of Fredericksburg, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations to the Alzheimer's Association or the St. Ferdinand's Catholic Church in Blanco, TX would be a generous blessing.