Marie Theresa "Terry" Velasquez

Marie Theresa Velasquez, 83, of Tucson, Arizona, formerly of Los Angeles, passed away peacefully at Via Elegante Memory Care on April 26, 2026, due to complications from dementia.

Terry was born on May 19, 1942, in Los Angeles, to Julia Mata and Juan Diaz. As a first generation American, she spoke English and Spanish fluently. Raised in the Lincoln Heights neighborhood of LA, she was the youngest child born into a large extended and loving family consisting of her parents, two sisters, four brothers, as well as a foster sister and brother. She accepted Jesus Christ as her Savior early in life. Upon graduation from Lincoln High School in 1960, married Antonio Gomez (div.) and began her family.

Terry’s life was defined by faith in Christ, connection to family and service to others.

In 1975, she and her family moved to Tucson, where Terry volunteered at St. Mary’s Hospital and later as a physical therapy aid for Dr. Richard Silver, an orthopedic surgeon.

In 1988, she moved back to Los Angeles and worked for 18 more years as a home health worker, caring for elderly patients. In 2022, she returned to Tucson in order to be closer to her daughter. Throughout her life, Terry enjoyed spending time with her family, watching her nieces and nephews play sports, cooking, baking desserts and creating needlework.

She was preceded in death by her parents, brother John, sisters Irene and Dorothy, foster sister Lupe, and foster brother Tommy.

She is survived by her son Abram (Ellen) Gomez of Westerly, Rhode Island, grandson Torry Gomez of Pawcatuck, Connecticut, grandson Wesley Gomez (Delphine) and great grandson Ezra of Geneva, Switzerland; daughter Laura (Mark) Gomez Anderson and granddaughter Natalie, of Tucson, Arizona.; and three brothers, Arthur “Sapo” Diaz of Rosemead, California, Daniel of Chino, California, and Vincent “Vicky” of Commerce, California. She leaves behind a special sister-in-law, Mary Miller, and her husband, Dennis, both of Marana, Arizona. She is also survived by many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to express their heartfelt thanks to Stacy & Martin Moraida and the dedicated caregivers of Tucson Mountain Assisted Living Home, Terry’s special friend Deborah Powers of Tucson and the staff from Harmony Hospice and Via Elegante for their compassionate care during Terry’s final days.

A Celebration of Life will be held at a later date. Arrangements in the care of Sensible Funerals & Cremation, Tucson, Arizona.