Theresa Valdivia, who was born and raised in San Juan Bautista, California and a long-time resident of Watsonville, CA. passed away peacefully while at home in Los Banos the evening of September 22.
Theresa spent 15 years working at the Pajaro Dunes for Holzman & Daw Inc, before retiring in the early 2000’s. She was a supporter of Watsonville American Little League, serving as a Board Member and Snack Bar coordinator in the 1980’s and 90’s.
Theresa enjoyed being with her family. She had a passion for cooking and has passed along many of her incredible recipes (fried chicken, fideos, tamales, potato salad, carrot cake, pineapple upside-down cake, and others) to her children and family over the years. Theresa was also an avid gardener with a quintessential “green thumb”, who enjoyed being outdoors working in her yard and garden.
Theresa’s door was always open no matter if you were stopping by for a meal, a cup of coffee or a meaningful conversation. She was a caretaker, a friend and someone who always made you feel good after leaving. Those times will always be treasured by everyone who passed through her door.
Preceded in Death by: Husband Trinidad Valdivia, Jr; Parents Florencio and Genevieve Gaboni; Brothers Danny & David Gaboni
Survived by Children; Son Christopher Valdivia and his children Jason Valdivia, Justin/Emily Valdivia and Natalya/Erik Estrada; Daughter Katherine/Wardell (Dunn) Valdivia and her children Moses & Maurice/Karla Celestine, LaToya/Cash Ritchie, Wardell & Latisha/Eric (Salgado) Dunn; Daughter
Mary Ellen Valdivia & wife Rosalyn Maestri and their child Jacob Maestri-Valdivia; Son Nick and wife Elizabeth Valdivia and their children Zackary, and Diana Valdivia; Sisters Eleanor Lopez, Irene Aguras, Beatrice and Louisa/Joan Gaboni; brother Sammy/Isabel Gaboni and
20 Great-Grandchildren and numerous nieces and nephews.
A celebration of life will be held at a later date.