Theresa "Esa" Pavelich

Theresa "Esa" Ann Pavelich was born December 9, 1960, in Tucson, Arizona, and was blessed to have Rudolph and Bertha (Celaya) Cordova be her parents. She grew up in Tucson and graduated in 1978 from Amphi HS. After High School, she married Michael Oldham and had one daughter, Felicia. She was a lifelong Tucsonan and died here on April 25, 2025.

Theresa worked for many years in banking and mortgage companies, doing clerical work. She was best known by her family and friends for her joy of life, contagious sense of humor, and her passionate love for music. In her younger years, she rarely missed an episode of American Bandstand and Soul Train. She loved to drive with the windows down and the stereo volume on max. Some of her lifelong favorites were Michael Jackson, The Commodores, Earth Wind & Fire, Bon Jovi & Def Leppard. Theresa was also a huge AZ Wildcat Football fan, and she loved to show her enthusiasm and support with her robust whistling to cheer them on.

In her later years, she made and kept many good friends who were also her neighbors. She will be deeply missed by her family and friends who were like family to her.

Theresa was preceded in death by her oldest sister, Patricia (Cordova) Flores, and her parents, Rudolph & Bertha.

She is survived by her daughter, Felicia Minter; six grandchildren, Daniel, Mercedes, Alicia, Yessinna, Whitney, and Waylee; four great-grandchildren; and sister, Susan (Cordova) Pryor.

Forever in our hearts, until we meet again.