Theresa Anna Maria Tamayo

Theresa Anna Marie Tamayo (Schellenberger) returned to our Lord on the morning of November 24, 2013. A loving wife, insightful mother, and nurturing grandmother and great grandmother, she lived many of her 83 years rooted in service.

To her community, “Terri” was a pillar of support. To her family, “Omie” was the steadfast foundation from which three generations have thrived. She is survived by daughter Maria Teresa Herr and spouse, Roger Herr; son Martin Robert Tamayo; grandchildren Stacy Tamayo, Eric and Roger Herr Jr.; and Jacqueline Herr-Valdes; and great-grandchildren Madeline, Tessa, Odette and Emilia Herr, and Paloma and Noah Valdes. Theresa is also survived by her sister Brigette Sanders (and progeny) of Frankfurt, Germany and her sister-in-law, Sister Mary Tamayo.

Born in East Germany on September 3, 1930, and as a young girl who lived through World War II, Theresa saw her community marred. After enduring separation from her family and witnessing hunger, she well understood that education and humanitarianism were vital for survival. She met Emilio Tamayo—an American serviceman stationed in Germany during the war’s armistice. In love and inspired, she returned with him to the United States, and soon after married Emilio on August 18, 1947.

Theresa continued her education and later become a grade-school teacher, then peer counselor for San Antonio Independent School District. Yet even while advancing her own career, the devastation she witnessed years prior in her homeland still impacted her. Perhaps that is why she felt that the disadvantaged and troubled children of her new home tugged hardest at her heart.

The couple later adopted two children, Maria Teresa and Martin Robert. Theresa instilled in them courage and confidence as well as tenderheartedness and fairness. About her mother, Maria Teresa recalls how she taught her children not to be fearful, not to get discouraged, to envision a goal, and then find the most direct path to achieve it. “Yet at the same time she taught me compassion, and how to love my children and grandchildren in a way that empowers them.”

Once their children had grown, Theresa and Emilio, moved to a 30-acre ranch. They had always shared a profound love for animals, so it was here that they rescued horses and raised pigs, cows, goats, dogs, and cats—nearly everything but chickens. Theresa had to draw the line somewhere.

After Theresa retired from SAISD, the ranch was also where she and Emilio would most significantly serve their community. Here she combined her love of children, animals, and the outdoors with her desire to uplift the less fortunate with her new endeavor: the Circle T Therapeutic Riding Center. The Center provided therapy to local special needs children through horseback riding and a new beginning for the horses she rescued and then trained to be therapy horses. Like the woman who trained and loved them, these horses harbored a special affinity for the children they served. Theresa worked for as long as she could, and stopped ever so reluctantly.

We love you, Omie. We are glad you are with Granddad. You remain in our hearts always.

Please make any charitable donations on Theresa’s behalf to the Alzheimer’s Foundation, Special Olympics, or the Humane Society.

The family would like to thank Dr. Marc Schwarz, Dr. John Rodriguez, Grace Hospice, Britex Nursing, Maria Martindale, and Josie Hernandez, for the loving care they took of Theresa Tamayo.