Theresa E. Lopez

Theresa Erlinda Lopez, formerly of Springer, New Mexico passed away on Wednesday, February 3, 2016 at the age of 81 surrounded by her loving family.

Theresa was born to Teodoro and Onofre Lopez in Springer, New Mexico. She grew up the youngest of seven children in Springer. She was an excellent student who attended college at New Mexico Highlands University in Las Vegas, New Mexico prior to marrying her life -long love Edward Lopez, Sr. in 1954. In 1957, the couple moved their growing family to California, where they raised their clan of seven children

Theresa not only lovingly raised seven children, but also worked until her retirement in 2001. She worked at Disneyland in Anaheim, California for 15 years, and later at Placer County Welfare Department in Sacramento and Prescott Welfare Department in Arizona, where she proudly worked helping Spanish speaking families. Upon her retirement, Eddie and Theresa moved to San Jacinto, California where Theresa was an active and proud parishioner of St. Joseph Mission. Her devotion to her family and her firm belief and love of God supported her in life and especially over the last year.

Theresa was a devoted wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother as well as an affectionate aunt. She gave herself to others unselfishly. She was humble and always gracious. She was an avid reader, a lover of music and had an amazing singing voice that she was able to share with others while singing in the church choir.

Theresa is survived by her loving husband Eddie, her brother Mike Lopez (Lupita), her seven children Cristina (Frank), Edward Jr. (Eileen), Jani (Murray), Marian (Carlos), Berta (Julio), Tricia (Barry) and Juanita, thirteen grandchildren and one great grandchild. She is preceded in death by her parents and five siblings.

Visitation will be held on Friday, February 26, 2016 from 4:00 to 6:00 p.m. at Luyben Dilday Mortuary, 5161 Arbor Road in Long Beach, California, followed by a rosary at 6:00 p.m. A memorial mass will be held on Saturday, February 27, 2016 at 10:30 a.m. at St. Pancratius Catholic Church, 3519 St. Pancratius Place in Lakewood, California with a reception to follow. A burial of Theresa’s ashes will be held in the spring in her hometown on Springer, New Mexico.

Theresa expressed that she would prefer donations in lieu of flowers. Suggested charities are Pathways Volunteer Hospice at www.pathwayshosipice.org Hospice provided great care to Theresa toward the end of her life, or her beloved parish of St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Hemet, California. Their address is PO Box 1027, San Jacinto, CA 92581.