Theresa Irma Sandoval

Theresa Irma Sandoval entered this life in St. Louis, Missouri on April 17th, 1945 to Franklin and Rose Roeder. She was one of three daughters that included her sisters Jeanette and Edna. She attended St. Alphonsus Catholic School and graduated in 1963. As a single mother to Steven Sr., she continued her education at St. Louis Community College where she received her degree in Hematology.  Once she had obtained her degree, she began working as a laboratory technician at the St. Louis VA Hospital.  She later met Jorge Sandoval Sr. and after a brief courtship they were married on April 13th, 1970. Steven was six at the time and the following year in March of 1971, he gained a brother named Jorge Jr.  In 1975 they relocated to California and settled in Long Beach.   She continued to pursue her career in Nuclear Medicine as a technician, and at 41 began working at the Long Beach VA Hospital. After her retirement, she worked for several years as a traveling technician as well.

In her youth, she loved to dance alongside her dear friend and dance partner, Gloria, and they entered many dancing contests, of which they often won 1st place. ‘Terri’ always had an outgoing personality and was a social butterfly. She loved to talk and engage with people, whether they were a family member, friend, or stranger. She enjoyed spending time with family and friends while playing bingo and visiting casinos, which were a couple of her favorite past-times. Family road-trips to Las Vegas and Campland with her grandkids and extended family were also another source of enjoyment for her. For generations, her home was where many of the holidays were celebrated, especially Christmas. She welcomed everyone in her home and was generous enough to let many different family members stay there in times of need.  She cared deeply for her pugs Koko, Maya and Gizmo, and loved taking them to the dog park and the dog beach.

Theresa departed this life peacefully in her home on July 7, 2024. She was a devoted daughter, sister, aunt, wife and mother. She was also a caring and supportive mother-in-law, grandmother, and great-grandmother. A loving Aunt to her nieces and nephews, and a dear friend to many.

She is predeceased by her husband Jorge Sr., her sisters Edna and Jeanette, her parents Franklin and Rose, and her granddaughter Jessica. Her legacy will live on through her sons Steven Sr. and Jorge Jr., her daughter Jennifer, daughter-in-law San Juana, her grandchildren Steven Jr., Zachary, Alexis, Spencer, Aaliyah, David, Danielle, and her great grandchildren Arthur, Slayer, Matthew, Adriana, DJ, Maria, Gianna, Arabella and great-great-grandson Gabriel.

Let us remember the positive impact she had in each of our lives and the memories we created with her. Sharing those moments will keep her memory alive and in doing that, she'll always be with us no matter where we roam.

Cherished and Remembered within our hearts, she's home.