Maria Rosa Isabel Tellez

Maria Rosa Isabel Tellez, a 10 year resident of Rancho Palos Verdes, passed away on Saturday, May 4, 2013, in her home. Maria was born in El Paso, Texas on May 8, 1960 to Ramon and Huguette Tellez. She graduated from Sul Ross State University in 1983 with a Bachelor's of Science in Chemistry, and later received her Master's and PhD in Organic Chemistry at New Mexico State University. Maria had a post doctoral position with the USDA- ARS from 1995 to 1997 in Las Cruces, New Mexico, performing research in Natural Products Chemistry. From 1997 to 2003, she was lead scientist as a research chemist with the USDA -ARS Natural Products Utilization Research Unit at the Natural Center for Natural Products Research in Oxford, Mississippi. As director of GC/MS Laboratory and Lead Research Scientist from August 25, 2003 to May 4, 2013 at the Inter Science Institute in Inglewood, CA, Maria developed the gold standard for clinical testing of neuroendocrine tumors. She enjoyed playing soccer with TURBO, an adult league that is part of the USALSO in Torrance. Maria was a member of St. John Fisher Parish.

Maria is survived by her wife, Stephanie Tellez of Rancho Palos Verdes, CA; daughters Anne Marie, Rhea Claire and Adelina; mother Huguette Tellez and father Ramon Tellez of Pasadena, TX; sister Florence Zare of Deer Park, TX; and brother Miguel Tellez of San Antonio, TX.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to either Equality California (www.eqca.org donation tab) or the American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org).