Dearest Theresa Lucille (Tessie) Vukonich, age 94, entered into eternal peace on Monday December 30, 2013 at MCMC Long-term Care in Raton, New Mexico surrounded by her loving family.
Born May 7, 1919, in Sugarite, to Mary and Hurley Gayet, she attended school and graduated from Raton. She went onto marry Vincent Vukonich on September 18, 1938. They raised two daughters together, Lavern and Beverly.
She worked at the ASCS office, United Chevrolet, Elco, and the court house as a secretary until retirement.
Theresa was a member of the St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, she quilted at the senior center, and she walked daily until she was no longer able.
Theresa will be especially remembered for her love of her grandchildren. She taught them to crochet enormously long chains, baked with them, and told them all the good stories about growing up in Sugarite Canyon. They treasured their time with her and she will be dearly missed by all of them. She was an inspiration to them as she taught them many life lessons, especially to be strong in times of adversity.
Survivors include her daughter Skip and husband John O’Byrne, her daughter Beverly and husband Ernest Johnson, and sister Catharine Ferrari. She is also survived by her grandchildren Jody and Johnny Hatch, John Pat and Kim O’Byrne, Joel and Melodie O’Byrne, James O’Byrne, and Josh O’Byrne, Scott and Laura Johnson, Shad and Deanna Johnson, Shana and Jeff Burton. She also has numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, and nephews.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, brother’s Charles, Sylvester, and Laverne, and her husband Vincent.
Recitation of the Most Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 p.m., Thursday January 2, 2014 at St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 105 Buena Vista, Raton, New Mexico recited by Deacon Tom Alderette.
Mass of the Resurrection will be held at 9:00 a.m., Friday January 3, 2014 at St. Patrick’s-St. Joseph’s Catholic Church, 105 Buena Vista, Raton, New Mexico with Father John Trambley as the celebrant. Rite of Christian Burial will be held at the Mount Calvary Cemetery directly following mass.
Memorial contributions may be made to MCMC Auxiliary in Raton, New Mexico.
Thanks to the staff at MCMC Long-term Care and Colfax General Long-term Care for their loving support and help during this time.
Arrangements and celebration of love for Theresa Lucille (Tessie) Vukonich are under the direction of the Yaksich-Long Funeral Home of Raton.
