Mrs. Patricia Vasquez Turella

Patricia Vasquez Turella, affectionately known to her friends and family as “Pat” or “Patsy”, received her glorified body on November 8, 2025, at the age of 89. She died peacefully, without fear or uncertainty. She had an unwavering faith in God and had already told her family she was ready to be with Jesus and her late husband of 68 years, SFC (Ret.) Joseph A. (Joe) Turella.

Patsy was born in Manzanola, CO, the 4th daughter and 6th child of Jesus and Sarah Vasquez. As a young child, she grew up with her brothers and sisters on the farm where her father worked. Around the age of 10, Patsy moved to Denver, CO with her family. Her father got a job at a local bakery, where he worked until he retired. As a teenager, she loved music, dancing, and roller skating, frequenting the roller rink on weekends. She was an outgoing, fun loving beauty with a sweet, loving, and loyal nature.

In 1953, Patsy met a handsome Air Force soldier from Lowry Air Force Base at the skating rink. It was love at first sight…on Joe’s part…but it didn’t take long for Patsy to reciprocate those feelings. The couple married on December 18, 1954, in Edgewater, CO. Shortly following their nuptials, the couple set up their first home at Lockport Air Force Station in Cambria, NY. Their first child, Vince Anthony Turella, was born there on October 22, 1955. From there the family lived in Frankfurt, Germany and then, San Antonio, TX when her husband separated from the Air Force. In 1962, Joe re-enlisted into the Army, eventually moving the family to Ft. Dix, NJ. On July 16, 1966, Patsy and Joe welcomed their second child, Gina Marie Turella.

In 1967, Joe got orders for Vietnam. Patsy moved with her two children to San Antonio, TX to be near her husband’s family. Over time, she fell in love with the city. She got a job working at W.F. Woolworth Co. in historic downtown San Antonio. After Joe’s two tours in Vietnam, the family lived in other duty stations to include Bryan, TX, Layton, UT, and Böblingen, Germany. Joe retired from the US Army in 1978. The family settled permanently in San Antonio. Patsy began working as a food server at JoJo’s restaurant. Her bubbly personality and infectious smile made her popular with the customers, who quickly went from strangers to friends. Each Christmas, she would make homemade sweet breads and boxes of cookies to give to her customers and coworkers. It became so popular that she was eventually interviewed for the Lifestyle section of the newspaper, where some of her delicious cookie recipes were put into print.

Patsy never knew a stranger. She had an amazing gift for making others feel special. Throughout her lifetime, she had many friends but there were three she would often mention to her daughter with the timeline they met…Carol Allen in her youth, Marie Abell during her time as an Army wife, and Jean Ohlenburger once Joe retired. In 2010, Patsy became a grandmother to a little boy. He stole her heart. The two of them had an unbreakable bond from the moment he was born. The sun rose and set on her “lovie”. Her laughter, love for life, and grace will be missed by many. The absence of her faithful love and prayers for her family can never be replaced…we are all the better for having had her in our lives.

She is preceded in death by her husband of 68 years, SFC (Ret.) Joseph A. Turella, son, Vince A. Turella, son-in-law, Xavier A. Garcia, father Jesus Vasquez, and mother, Sarah Vasquez. She is survived by her daughter, Gina M. Turella-Garcia (Xavier), and grandson, Aaron V. Garcia, sister-in-law, Alice R. Turella, and many wonderful nieces, nephews, and friends.

Visitation is at 6:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. on Sunday, November 30, 2025, at Porter Loring Mortuary. The following day, Monday, December 1, 2025, there will be a Visitation at 12:00 p.m. with a Mass at 1:00 p.m. at St. Pius X Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.