Theresa Sanchez Davis

Teresita, as she was affectionately known, in her early career, was a singer in half of the 1950’s Mexican ranchera duet: “Dueto Sanchez”, also a private duty nurse to countless patients specializing in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson's. Teresita passed away peacefully at her home in Sun Lakes in Banning, California after a long illness surrounded by family. She was 89.

Theresa was a longtime member of the Catholic Church in Beaumont, California.

She was the third child of Maria Teresa Nuñez & Felix Jauregui. “Teresita” or “Auntie Teddy” as she was affectionately known, throughout her early life, lived in Chihuahua, Mexico, New Mexico, and El Paso, Texas. She then moved to California, attending elementary schools in North Hollywood and Palm Springs, California with her siblings.

As her family grew, she continued to raise her family in the Pass Area. It was there in her early teens that she was discovered by record producer Trinidad Pelais and formed the singing duet with her older brother Luis Jauregui Sanchez, calling themselves, “Dueto Sanchez”. The duet was known to rehearse their set on their porch at dusk and play for their surrounding neighbors after dinner. The group went on to perform locally, and recorded over forty songs with the Mariachi Los Camperos at Capitol Records in Hollywood, and in Mexicali for Record label Azteca Records.

Teresita also performed as a solo artist, appeared on the 1950s CBS’s Latin Variety Show “Fandango”, singing, her rendition of “Ramona” with host Mauricio Jara.

Theresa also worked as a private duty nurse caring for countless patients, specializing in Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s patients notably Senator Tom Carrel’s wife Dolly Carrel of Rancho Mirage, California and Elvis’ manager Colonel Tom Parker’s wife, Marie Mott Parker, of Palm Springs, California.

“Gramacita” as all her grandchildren called her, loved to travel and was dedicated to all her large extended family. She was a patron of the music and visual arts throughout her life, continuing to work as a loving nurse until age 85.

Teresita is predeceased by brother and musical collaborator, Luis Jauregui Sanchez, of Cabazon, California and artist Rayito Jauregui Barajas of Baldwin Park, California and her husband’s Louie Urbano of Beaumont, Oscar Salazar of Gallup, New Mexico, and Norman Davis of Banning, California. She is survived by her sister Palmita Abbud Valdivia of Yucaipa, California, daughter Laura L. Valdivia, of Beaumont, California, and Adela A. Navarro of Miami Beach, Florida. Grandchildren Elizabeth Garcia, of Beaumont, Carolyn Patino of Beaumont, Monica Hernandez of Brooklyn, NY, Frank Valdivia, Jr. of Beaumont, Teresa Hernandez of Miami, Florida, and Yolanda Valdivia of Beaumont. She also leaves behind 16 great-grandchildren, and 17 great-grandchildren.

A rosary and mass are scheduled at the Blessed Kateri Tekakwitha Catholic Church, 1234 Palm Avenue, Beaumont, California: Tuesday, September 22, 2015. Rosary at 9:30am, Mass at 10am. Interment immediately following Mass. Gathering following services at Church Hall.