Teresa Moore

María Teresa Saucedo Padilla Moore knew of these, but her faith in God and strong will helped her through these dark times and she made sure she lived life to the fullest.

Teresa was born to Andres Saucedo and Juaquina Padilla in Cacalotán, Sinaloa, Mexico on December 26, 1934. When she was just a baby, her mother passed away, and Teresa was taken by her grandmother, whom she affectionately called Mama María. She was raised by her grandmother and grandfather, Papa Milo. Teresa never completed school. It was said that she went as far as the second grade in a regular school setting, then needed to stay home to help out around the house.

At the age of 21, Teresa found herself pregnant with a daughter, Guadalupe, affectionately called Lupita. At 22 Teresa gave birth to her daughter on May 6, 1956. A single mother, Teresa did what she could to sustain a good life for her and her daughter. She packed up and moved to Tijuana, Mexico, B.C. to be closer to her sisters, Josefina and Graciela, leaving Lupita behind until she got established, then had Lupita brought to Tijuana. There, she was able to have the support of family to help raise her little girl.

During her time in Tijuana, she met a man by the name of Richard Moore, who would cross the border to enjoy life with his work buddies. Richard fell in love with Teresa and Lupita. They wrote numerous love letters to each other, Teresa having a friend help her write them in English, Richard using his Spanish dictionary to help him write her in Spanish. They affectionately called each other “mi Corazón,” meaning my heart or sweetheart. Much was lost in translation over the years, except for the fact that they were truly in love. During their courtship, Richard went home to Michigan to let his mother know that he was going to be asking Teresa to marry him, and that he was going to become a father to Lupita. Teresa thought that Richard had left her, never to come back, but he did, and on June 13, 1962, Richard and Teresa married in a civil ceremony in Tijuana. The following year, he adopted Lupita, and their family was complete. They started their life in San Ysidro, California as a family.

Grief struck Teresa and Richard when Lupita was diagnosed with brain cancer. Richard and Teresa moved to Long Beach to get the care she needed, but ended up having to celebrate Christmas that year early, as Lupita passed away on the 5th of December 1965 at the tender age of 8. Teresa carried the grief and guilt of Lupita’s death with her until the day she passed away. Nothing could ever replace her beautiful daughter.

Richard and Teresa tried having their own children together, but unfortunately, each one ended with an “angel” instead of a child to love and hold, adding even more disappointment and sadness to Teresa’s life. They continued to try and have their own child, but God had other plans. In 1967 they adopted Maria Elizabeth, a blue eyed, blond haired child that looked as if she could have been Richard’s own. After adopting Maria, they eventually moved to Lakewood, where they lived until 1992.

It was in this Lakewood home that Teresa did what she could to survive as a U.S. Citizen. She took English classes at Adult Schools for most of her life. Part of it was the “social” aspect of school. Many of her friends were from the English classes that she took over the years. After learning enough English, Teresa pushed herself through cosmetology school as well as got her certification to be a nurse’s assistant. During her years in Lakewood, she also learned to drive a car, adding to her ability to be more independent.

She almost lost her beloved Richard to heart disease in 1982, and she felt her world was going to fall apart once again. Having to raise another daughter on her own was beyond something she could fathom doing, but luckily Richard pulled through, and they were able to enjoy another 27 years together before his passing in January of 2009.

One dream that Teresa always had was to be married in the Catholic Church. She and Richard had to jump through many hoops in order to make this dream come true, including getting permission from the Pope. On March 19, 1983, she and Richard were finally married in the Holy Sacrament of Matrimony at St. Cyprian’s Church in Long Beach. Four years later, they celebrated their 25 “civil” wedding anniversary surrounded by family and friends in Tijuana, as they renewed their vows again in front of everyone in grand style. As you’re reading this, take note of Teresa’s funeral date. This was not intentionally planned, but what a beautiful thought to know that so many will be gathered together again on March 19th to celebrate her life.

For those who knew Teresa, they knew her to be someone who loved to have gatherings. She loved to cook, be surrounded by friends and family, and enjoy their company. Teresa also loved traveling, especially going on cruises with her beloved, Richard. She made it to faraway places including Alaska, Hawaii, many countries in Europe including Spain, Portugal, Italy, France, Switzerland, Monaco, and even went as far as Jerusalem.

Another thing that Teresa loved was flowers. She was a green thumb beyond green thumbs, being able to just stick things in the dirt and have them grow. Her greatest love when it came to plants were her roses. Their home in Lakewood had several rose bushes and the inside of their home always had a vase or two filled with the sweet smelling gifts from her garden. So the next time you smell a rose or walk through a rose garden, enjoy her presence.

Teresa was never one to really say thank you to folks. Instead, she liked to show her thanks and gratitude to people through food and gifts. The family would like to properly thank Mayte Ivonne Zendejas, and her husband, Tito, for being there for Teresa in her final months. They took her under their wings and cared for her, showed up at any given moment to assist, and provided her the love and peace of mind of having someone living close by. Teresa may have never said it directly, but we know she is looking down from above and sending down her love and gratitude to these two angels on earth.

Teresa passed away peacefully in the hospital on February 12, 2022 at the age of 87. She will be missed by friends and family near and far, but we know that her life is now complete as she rejoins her beloved Richard and Lupita, and those who went before her. Rest in peace, Teresa, you will be missed.

Teresa is survived by Maria Fossler, her daughter, who resides in Scottsdale, Arizona, with her husband Kristian. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Travis Robertson (27, Costa Mesa, CA), Dakota Fossler (27, Phoenix, Arizona), Julia Robertson (26, Portland, Oregon), and Jesse “Zane” Fossler (25, Stockton, California).