Teresa Arizpe

Teresa "Tere" de Jesus Valdez Arizpe, 96, of San Antonio, Texas passed away peacefully at her home on Friday, January 14, 2022. After waiting 2 years, 10 months and 24 days Teresa is once again dancing with the love of her life, Enrique "Henry" Arizpe.

Teresa was born October 15, 1925, in Nava, Coahuila, Mexico to Tomas and Rosa Valdez. She was the oldest of their seven children. As a child, Teresa immigrated to Texas with her parents and one sister in August of 1928, crossing the Piedras Negras - Eagle Pass toll bridge. Shortly after they were on the road to Galveston, Texas. She became a naturalized citizen in July 1952, swearing her allegiance to the United States of America.

Eventually her parents reached a farm in Zuhel, Guadalupe County, TX that was called home for years. Growing up Teresa became a second mom to her younger siblings, who later would become the babysitters for her five children.

In 1938 Teresa met the man who captured her heart, Henry, at a dance in the Guadalupe County area. In June of 1943, Tere left her family farm to marry her sweetheart, Henry. Together they made San Antonio, TX their home. Throughout the years Teresa always enjoyed dancing with Henry. In the early years, they frequently went dancing and were often joined by their siblings, friends and in later years their kids. Tere and Henry would dance the two-step to country and western music, as well as a polka or cumbia which were some of their favorites.

Once married, Teresa was a true Proverbs 31 woman keeping her home tidy, she would cook wonderful meals and a lot of delicious flour tortillas for her family of seven, and bigger gatherings. She sewed blouses, dresses, suits, and formals for her girls and hemmed or patched Henrys and the boys shirts or pants. Tere took joy in hand work - sewing, embroidery, crocheting, making curtains, bedspreads, and quilts. Tere with her sisters would gather everyone together at her parents home or to make tamales and other times to sew quilts at the shop. There was a time when Tere would call her mother and siblings then head out to tend garden, planting flowers and vegetables.

Tere had a way of inviting others into her home, making them feel welcomed. Once she met you, she would check in with you to see how your family was doing. Teresa would often ask her kids about their in-laws and their friends from recent years and years past.

Tere and Henry would attend the bull riding or horse show events, and the trail rides their older kids were involved with. Teresa also bowled with Henry for over ten years at leagues in town or tournaments out of town. As a young couple, then a family and finally as empty nesters they spent time together on road trips across the state and country, as well as Mexico to see all the sights. When the weather was nice, the family as well as aunts, uncles and cousins would spend weekends at the various lake or the Texas coast. Other times there were "pop up camper" trips in state and national parks or KOA camps across the USA.

Teresa was Henrys "Right-Hand" gal in many ventures. He opened his own business; Henrys Upholstery, in 1953 and operated it for fifty years. She would often work at the shop during the busy season helping sew cushions. Tere and Henry were also building a real estate portfolio consisting of small to medium shopping and office centers, single family homes and duplexes in the San Antonio, New Braunfels and Austin, Texas areas. Teresa would ride along with Henry as he was checked on the properties - just to spend time with him.

Teresa frequently asked how a tenant was doing or how a project was going. Even when her vision began to fail, she wanted to know how the buildings, plants or trees were at each of the properties. Viewing the Christmas lights placed at the properties gave her immense pleasure because she enjoyed the Christmas season so much. Tere was glad when she had the chance to say hello to the tenants.

As the matriarch of Arizpe Properties, LTD. Teresa labored with Henry to achieve their goals and dreams to provide for their family. This was quite a feat with only an elementary level education. Their further goals were accomplished with their children either owning their own business, obtaining state licenses to work as a cosmetologist or CPA or graduating from college.

Tere seemed the happiest just spending time making memories with Henry, her children, and grandchildren. Time spent at their home, their kids homes, the lake, the coast, or the ranch property was an immense joy. Later, as her eyesight and health began to fail, she spent time more watching TV - especially the UTSA Roadrunners football and basketball games, the San Antonio Spurs, and the Dallas Cowboys.

Teresa was preceded in death by the love of her life, Henry, whom she missed every day after his passing. Her parents Tomas and Rosa Valdez, her in laws Miguel and Petra (Soto) Arizpe, and several of her siblings, brother in laws and sister in laws, have passed before her.

Tere was a loving daughter, sister, wife, mother, memaw, grandma, great grandma, aunt, cousin, and friend. She is survived by her five children and their families. Sam and Lisa Arizpe of Spring Branch Texas. Sandy Arizpe Gonzalez of San Antonio Texas. Sylvia and Thomas Jones of Austin Texas. Sara and Chris Bunch of San Antonio Texas. Saul and Jodi Arizpe of Austin Texas. Her grandchildren include Shelley, William, Nicole, Eric, Matthew, Mikayla, and Bryson. Her great grandchildren include Subrina, Savanah, Troy, and Natalie. Her great-great grandchildren are Aydin, and Micheal.

Also surviving Teresa is her sister, Esther V. Perez, sister-in-law Alvera D. Arizpe, brother-in-law Rudy Acevedo, family friends Antonio Moreno and Rudy Acuna.

The family wishes to express their appreciation to the caregivers, who became Teresas friends and confidants: Santa Rosales, Cyndi Mancha, Cristina Cariolo and Grace Rodriguez who each provided her with loving, compassionate care.

Over the years, Teresa and Henry were members at St. Marys Catholic Church, Holy Spirt Catholic Church, and Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church. Donations may be made in her memory to the Building Funds of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church, Selma Texas or St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, San Antonio Texas.

Rosary

Thursday, January 20, 2022, at 6:30 pm

Porter Loring North

2102 N. Loop 1604 E (Gold Canyon Exit)

San Antonio, TX 78232

Family will receive friends from 5:30 till 6:30

Funeral Mass, Burial and Luncheon

Friday, January 21, 2022, at 11:00 am

Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church

16075 N. Evans Road (IH 35 and Evans Road)

Selma, TX

Please click here to view the services of Teresa Arizpe.