Theresa Jane Laskowski

The family and friends take pleasure in sharing with you the life and fun times we had with Theresa who passed away on December 3, 2015. She is proceed in death by her parents Alicia and Lewis Lazo. Survivors include her husband of 45 years, Roger; daughter Jennifer Cortez; son Christopher Laskowski; son-in-law Steve Cortez; granddaughter Alyssa Cortez; sisters: Storm Lazo, Mary Ann Davis, Patricia Lazo, brother Lewis J. Lazo; brother-in-laws Leo Davis and Kenneth Madsen; nephews Eric Davis and Seve Madsen, nieces Alexis and Hayley Madsen. Numerous cousins, and K.D., her beloved four-legged pal.

Theresa was born in San Antonio, Texas on October 20, 1951. She was the youngest of the four girls in the family and had a childhood nickname of “Little Bit” given to her by her father. Shopping was her favorite activity with her mom. She attended Huppertz Elementary School and Longfellow Jr. High. While attending Churchill High School she was a member of the Grenadiers, the then newly formed pep squad and served as a student volunteer Blue Jay at a regional hospital. She was a member of Churchill’s class of 1970. Later that year, on August 14th she married Roger with a large wedding at St. Matthew’s Catholic Church. She was the first in her family to marry.

Theresa and Roger immediately relocated to the Detroit, Michigan area. After graduating from nursing school, she applied her skills at various hospitals working in the OR, OB, Recovery and many other hospital units. OB, wasn’t for her. She didn’t care for the screaming.

Theresa enjoyed being a newlywed. As an avid bowler, she was an active member of bowling leagues competing on teams with her fellow nurse friends for approximately ten years. Friday night was designated bowling date night for Roger and Theresa. Old 3-D Movies from the 40’s; live plays in Detroit, in the nose bleed section of course, were some of her favorite past times. Matching black and orange 1975 Gremlins always identified Theresa in the many areas she lived at the time, if she wasn’t on the back of her husband’s 1971 Harley Sportster.

Theresa enjoyed traveling abroad. For her seven year anniversary (before kids) she spent a month in Europe; twelve countries, countless cities and sites in thirty days. She partied the night away with her husband and newly made travel friends, Canadians, Australians and a couple Brits. They then tried to sleep it off while seeing the sites during the day, at the dismay of the tour guides. Theresa and Roger ended up with a pretty neat souvenir from Rome.

In 1978 she gave birth to their daughter, Jennifer Rose, and two years later was blessed with the birth of their son, Christopher Michael. In 1985, Theresa and her family traded in their snow boots for flip flops and returned to San Antonio. They settled on the Northeast side of town on Tuxford for the next 28 years. She continued employment as a nurse at senior citizen nursing homes and in Mental Retardation facilities. Being a morning person, she loved the 6-2 shift. This led to working many holidays, never a problem for Theresa, the family just celebrated a little earlier.

Theresa’s life revolved her around her family and she was a devoted mother. She was always there to help and support their needs. Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, T-ball for Chris, Soccer for Jennifer, class parties, Birthday parties, field trips; not only for her kids, but for her granddaughter as well the list could go on and on. She was a “go to mom” who gave generously to all. She was always there to listen and give support; not only for her family but for anyone who needed it.

The year 2001 was momentous! Theresa became a Grandmother! She dearly loved and enjoyed Alyssa Rose, her favorite child of all who was always by her side. Theresa had the greatest pleasure with the companionship and loving relationship with her daughter Jennifer. She was always there to help her son with anything he needed. She shared many happy moments with Christopher, whom she dearly loved.

Upon her husband’s retirement in 2013, she moved from their longtime home on Tuxford to the serene countryside of Bandera, Texas. In August 2015, she and Roger celebrated their 45th wedding anniversary. She cherished Roger, her chosen life companion and friend. She loved flowers with her favorites being daisies, bearded iris, red begonias and day lilies.

Theresa was a unique individual, who was a giver that was always willing to help give a hand. Possessing a ready and infectious laugh, she cherished life. She was a brilliant shining star and truly one of the sweetest people one has ever met. She will be missed and forever loved, but