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Maria Teresa's obituary

María Teresa Sañudo Cabrera, from Mexicali Baja, California, Mexico who resided in San Diego Ca, passed away surrounded by her loving family in her home on April 5, 2025 after an unexpected and short battle with cancer. She was 80 years old. 

Teresa was born on November 18 of 1944 to Refugió Cabrera and Juanita Ayala in La Piedad, Michoacán, Mexico.

After a short career in managing Librería Excélsior in Mexicali she immigrated to the United States in 1964 where a few years later she met her loving husband of almost sixty years Juan Francisco Sañudo Gámez. And after six months of knowing each other they married and started their family. They raised their four loving daughters, Miriam, Blanca, Vanessa and Vera in Mexicali, Mexico.

Teresa decided to dedicate her life to being a fantastic and wonderful mother and homemaker. Teresa excelled at supporting all of her daughters to pursue a career, teach them about family values, the importance of hard work and supported her family through the many passions and difficulties through out their lives.

Teresa loved having her family and friends visit her home, she loved spending quality time with her husband after he retired.

Teresa was predeceased by her father Refugio Cabrera, her mother Juanita Ayala and brother Alfredo Cabrera Ayala. She is survived by her husband Juan Francisco Sañudo Gámez,  daughters Miriam Sañudo Thomas, (Andrew Thomas),  Blanca Genoveva Sañudo Valenzuela, (Alfredo Valenzuela), Vanessa Barajas Sañudo, (Anthony Barajas), Vera Joy Sañudo (Justin Joy Grisby), grandchildren Camila and Ela Sañudo Thomas, Isabella and Sebastian Valenzuela Sañudo, Vicente and Alonzo Barajas, and Adrian Grisby Joy Sañudo and sisters Lilia Rosa Melgoza Corpus and Ana Silvia Melgoza Benítez.

As Teresa’s wish, and of her husbands, he has respectfully requested  that funeral services be held in a private mass for the immediate family. We thank you for your love, support and understanding in these difficult circumstances.

If you wish in lieu of flowers, please send donations to Cancer research in her name.

 Her family and friends will miss her greatly, they will always have her in their hearts and cherish her memory forever.

 Obituario en español:

Maria Teresa Cabrera Sañudo, originaria de Mexicali, Baja California, México, y residente de San Diego, California, falleció rodeada de sus seres queridos en su hogar el sábado 5  de abril de 2025, tras una breve e inesperada batalla contra el cáncer. Tenía 80 años.

Nació el 18 de noviembre de 1944 en La Piedad, Michoacán, México, hija de Refugio Cabrera y Juanita Ayala. En su juventud trabajó como gerente de la Librería Excélsior en Mexicali. En 1964 emigró a los Estados Unidos, donde pocos años después conoció a Juan Francisco Sañudo Gámez. Al conocerse se casaron seis meses después y compartieron casi sesenta años de matrimonio.

Juntos formaron una familia con sus cuatro hijas: Miriam, Blanca, Vanessa y Vera. Teresa dedicó su vida a ser una madre amorosa y ama de casa ejemplar. Apoyó con entrega las carreras profesionales de sus hijas e inculcó valores fundamentales como el trabajo arduo y la unidad familiar. Disfrutaba recibir visitas de familiares y amigos, y valoraba profundamente el tiempo compartido con su esposo tras la jubilación.

Le precedieron en la muerte su padre Refugio Cabrera, su madre Juanita Ayala y su hermano Alfredo Cabrera Ayala. Le sobreviven su esposo Juan Francisco Sañudo Gámez; sus hijas Miriam Sañudo Thomas (Andrew Thomas), Blanca Genoveva Sañudo Valenzuela (Alfredo Valenzuela), Vanessa Barajas Sañudo (Anthony Barajas) y Vera Joy Sañudo (Justin Joy Grisby); sus nietos Camila y Ela Sañudo Thomas, Isabella y Sebastián Valenzuela Sañudo, Vincent y Alonzo Barajas, y Adrian Grisby Joy Sañudo; así como sus hermanas Lilia Rosa Melgoza de Corpus y Ana Silvia Melgoza de Benítez.

Muy respetuosamente por deseo expreso de Teresa y su esposo, los servicios funerarios se celebrarán en una misa privada para la familia inmediata. 

Si gustan en lugar de flores, se agradecen donaciones a la investigación sobre el cáncer en su nombre.

Su recuerdo vivirá por siempre en los corazones de quienes la amaron.

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Maria Teresa Sañudo