Obituary of Theodora Petras Vasquez

Thea died peacefully in her Tucson home, surrounded by family on April 22, 2023. Born Oct 26, 1929 in San Francisco, CA to George Petras of Greece & Maria Villegas of Mexico, she lived a fun-filled city life and at age 15 met her beloved, Louie Vasquez from Tucson. On Aug 4, 1951 they wed in SF. She followed her new husband’s army career to San Antonio where Vickie (Tom) was born in 1952. Returning to SF for a year, George (Terri) was born in 1953. The couple headed to Yuma, then Nogales where Rebecca (Ben) and Greg joined. In 1957, the Vasquez’s moved into their house in Tucson and welcomed Fred (Teri), Ted (Linda), Ramona (Gabe), and Alex to the family.

Thea was a devout mother, Yaya, and Yayita to her kids, 10 grandkids, and 12 great grandkids. She was a loving friend, sister-in-law, aunt, and the last living sibling of four; a strong, faithful Catholic who helped start Operation Deep Freeze at Sacred Heart; a fierce cook and seamstress who enjoyed the casino and traveling. She and Louie were married for 61 happy years until he passed in 2013; she was preceded in death by her son, Greg in 2019.

Memorial service Sat. May 27 at 10am at Sacred Heart Church, 601 E. Ft. Lowell Rd. Celebration of Life to follow: Ramada by Wyndham, 777 W. Cushing St. Memorial donations to Casa Maria and Sacred Heart Church.