“Thelma” Surma (Pietri) Petruske, 86, passed away on May 12, 2021 in Phoenix, Arizona. She was born on April 6, 1935 in Ponce, Puerto Rico to Maria Belen Norat de Martinez and Fernando Pietri. She is survived by her sisters Maria Luz Galindez and Patria Fletcher; her children Curtis Hutchison (Cherie), Patricia Hutchison (Rosa), Faye Resnick (Everett), Victoria Herrera, Jeff Petruske (Mary), and Michael Petruske; her grandchildren Nicolle Hutchison, Gabriel Hutchison, Malia Hutchison, Chantel Hutchison, Shola Walker, Francesca Blumenfeld, Christopher Hayes, Anthony Walker, Zachary Petruske, Dara Stewart, Giovanni Herrera, Lily Petruske, Seth Petruske and Eliana Petruske; her great grandchildren Grayson, London, Julian, Tyler, Avett, Driver, Axton, Abram, Hudson and Jane. She had many nieces and nephews as well. She is preceded in death by her parents; her husband Harold Petruske; her brothers Francisco “Paco” Pietri and Antonio Pietri; her sister Alma Sepulvida; her daughter Theresa Hayes; her great grandsons Sebastian James and Clayton Colosimo.
Thelma started her professional career as a journalist for newspapers in the Marysville/Yuba City, California areas. Her column, La Cotorra, addressed serious subjects including her coverage of the serial killer, Juan Corona. Later she worked at Social Security offices in California and Arizona and as a court translator for Spanish-speaking individuals. She opened Bionic Health, a health clinic, in the late 1970s and continued her business until her retirement. Her certificates in massage, herbal nutrition and colon therapy enabled her to help many people maintain their health. During that time she wrote a book titled Stop Wounding Your Body Warriors: Start Healing Them Naturally to Win the Battle for Vital Health. She made many, many friends as a result of her respected services in the Valley of the Sun.
Thelma was a spiritual woman and devout member of Jehovah’s Witnesses. She attended a local congregation in Paradise Valley, Arizona. She developed lifelong friendships during her years of worship in California and Arizona.
She wrote songs and composed melodies in her spare time. She was very generous and shared with others financially as well as foster parenting. Thelma was an outgoing, diplomatic and fun-loving person. She was able to out dance anyone, even in her later years. She spoke five languages and taught many to speak Spanish. She was a mother of seven while having careers in journalism, social services and health. She could often be heard singing as she cooked dinner. She will be greatly missed for her sunny disposition, the sound of her voice singing and her enthusiastic, deep love for her family and humanity.
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