Teresa "Teresita" Abeyta

by her loving family.

Teresa was born to Juan and Erlinda Garcia in Weslaco, Texas on November 28, 1949. Teresa in her early years was reared by her abuelita Julia Hernandez in Texas. Teresa was a devoted christian, wife, mother, grandmother, sister, and Tia . Teresa attended and graduated from Pima High School in May of 1969. After high school she attended Eastern Arizona College and Northern Arizona University. Teresa graduated with a B.S. in Education in Child Development 1973. At college, Teresa met Carlos Abeyta, Jr in 1969 and married in their senior year on January 6, 1973. A year later Teresa and Carlos moved to Cincinnati, Ohio where they started their young family, where they lived there from 1974-1980. In 1980, moved to Seattle, Washington where Teresa lived for the rest of her life in the Northwest for 43 years. During the 43 years she developed her skills to work as a Social Worker for King County Government and Deaconess Child Services; and work as a volunteer and holding leadership positions for the Washington State PTA programs. Teresa’s pride and joy of all her community work was no other than pouring her endless efforts working with first generation Latino families arriving from Mexico reestablishing their lives in the Northwest. Teresa provided teaching English as a Second Languages (ESL) classes; Financial Leadership Programs; Counseling for Immigration and Naturalization Services; USA citizenship classes; Life Skills education; and General Education Development (GED) programs for families to obtain their equivalent High School Diplomas. Truly,Teresa’s work was recognized as she received the Woman of the Year from the Allstate Foundation recognizing community leaders that inspired and empowered communities. Teresa will be known as a community leader fighting for the rights of the Latinos. Teresa’s treasure was her family. Her sacrifice for her family was not just in what she gave up, but also in what she silently endured for her family. This past year, Teresa celebrated her 50th wedding anniversary, a half century of unwavering love and commitment. Many years of love, laughter, and dreams. Teresa’s children, Juan and Felicity, were her pride and joy, rearing them in the ways of the Lord. She loved her Nieta's (Cindy, Renee, and Trina), she had a special bond with her “girls”. Teresa will be missed by her family and friends.

Teresa was preceded in death by: Juan Garcia (Father, 2013); Erlinda Garcia (Mother, 2010); Jorge

Garcia (Brother, 2015) and Cynthia Gates (Niece, 1994). Teresa is survived by: Carlos Abeyta, Jr.

(Husband) of Bothell, Washington; Juan Carlos Abeyta, son (Nina Jean) of Stanwood, WA; Felicita Ana

Abeyta (Daughter) of Bothell, Washington; Cynthia Felicita Abeyta-Castillo (Granddaughter) of Bothell,

Washington; Renee Sophia Abeyta (Granddaughter) of Stanwood, Washington; Trina Marie Abeyta

(Granddaughter) of Stanwood, Washington; Elsa Garcia, sister (Richard) of Phoenix, Arizona; Juanita

Cazares, sister (Robert) of Bellevue, Washington; Rose, sister (Ricardo) of Phoenix, Arizona.

A Celebration of Life Ceremony will be held at Purdy & Walters at Floral Hills, 409 Filbert Rd in

Lynnwood, WA 98036 on Thursday December 14, 2023, beginning at 1:00 pm. Please visit

www.floralhillslynnwood.com to leave your condolences on Teresa’s online guestbook.