Theresa Longoria Benavides, went to her heavenly home on July 24, 2025. She departed peacefully surrounded by her daughters. Theresa was born on March 7, 1933, to Guadalupe and Librada Longoria in Goliad, Texas. Theresa's parents moved to San Antonio, Texas a couple of years later and Theresa spent her life in San Antonio. Theresa is preceded in death by her parents, Guadalupe and Librada Longoria and her brother Andrew. Theresa is survived by her daughters: Liz Gonzaba, Esther Burns (Mike), Deborah Benavides (Yvette), and DeeDee Benavides; her grand-children: Lizette Gonzaba, Jerry Gonzaba, Jason Burns (Susan) and Jeremy Burns (Veronica); her great-grandchildren: Alexia Gonzaba, Gavin Gonzaba, Angelina Gonzaba, Leo Gonzaba, Myles Gonzaba, Andrew Gonzaba, Victoria Burns and Jameson Burns.

Theresa attended St. Gerard Elementary School and played the drum in the school's Bugle and Drum Corp. Theresa attended St. Gerard Regional High School and was the first class to graduate from the South New Braunfels location in 1952. Theresa worked as a bookkeeper for National Life Insurance and was known to be a fast learner, a hard worker and excelled at her work. Theresa's co-workers enjoyed her company, especially during lunch breaks when they would dine at Schilo's. Theresa was a devoted daughter and doted on her parents as often as possible.

Theresa married Willie Benavides on May 6, 1956, and together they created and raised a family of four daughters. She worked as a teacher's aide for the San Antonio Independent School District at Tynan Elementary. Theresa loved working with the students and teachers. As a big supporter of education, Theresa was committed to ensuring that her children received a good Catholic education.  Thus, beginning what would produce three generations of St. Gerard educated family members. Theresa was active in the Parent Teacher Association (PTA). During her tenure as President, she and the school's principal, Sr. Janet Abbacchi, SSND, helped to establish the annual Spaghetti dinner. Theresa was a devoted mother and supported every activity her daughter's participated in, whether it be sports, choir, band, dance, or after school plays. Theresa took immense pride and joy in sewing dresses for dances, prom, homecoming, debuts, Christmas, Easter, and even costumes for school plays.

Theresa was an amazing cook and loved to bake. She would read cookbooks as if they were a good mystery novel noting in the margins which recipes were good, and which ones she loved. Theresa looked forward to the holiday season and would bake dozens of different cookies. In the years to come, she would share her cookbooks and various recipes with her children and grandchildren. Theresa was an avid gardener and had a green thumb beyond measure. Theresa could take a stick and make it sprout; she hated to see neglected plants and would often bring clippings home to root and in no time had another thriving plant or flowers that bloomed, sometimes year-round.

When Theresa returned to work, she started in retail at the Hyatt Regency, the Fairmont Hotel, the St. Anthony Hotel and spent many years at Foley's until she retired. She found retirement to be too boring, so she returned to work part-time at Marshall's for the next 10 years until she permanently retired in November 2017.

Our amazing mother loved to watch game shows, sometimes keeping us up all night watching Steve Harvey's Family Feud. Mom loved playing board games with the grandchildren. Mom's favorite gifts to receive were scratch off lottery tickets. Mom always had music playing and we never knew what the sound for the day would be…Earth Wind and Fire, Frankie Valli, Luis Miguel to Justin Timberlake. Mom had a love for Broadway shows which she instilled in her daughters and grandchildren. In later years, mom's favorite dessert was vanilla ice cream with Amaretto. One of mom's favorite past times was sitting on the patio with the dogs, admiring her plants and watching the deer in the greenbelt.

Our family would like to extend our sincere thanks to Embrace Hospice and especially her care team for taking such wonderful care of our mother. Our heartfelt thanks to Billy, Cristel, Victoria, Frances, Lisa, Susie, Denis, David, and Carlos. The care you provided to our beautiful mother is invaluable and each of you played a special part in her last months.

FUNERAL SERVICES

Visitation will begin on Monday, August 4th at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. at the Angelus Chapel.  Funeral Mass will be offered on Tuesday, August 5th at 10:00 A.M. at St. Gerard Catholic Church.  Interment will follow in Mission Burial Park South.

MEMORIAL CONTRIBUTIONS

In lieu of flowers, please consider a donation to the

San Antonio Humane Society or to San Antonio Pets Alive!