Theresa Gutierrez

Theresa Gutierrez (affectionately known as Sister), 91, passed away at Genesis Uptown Rehabilitation Center, with her daughter by her side, in Albuquerque, NM on Saturday, September 23, 2023.

She is preceded in death by her brother, Joe (Tiger) Gutierrez, mother, Antonia (Tonnie) Romero Gutierrez, her father, Pacifico (Pax) Gutierrez, and Paul Davidson (father of her daughter), as well as many other close relatives and friends.

Theresa (Sister) was born in Santa Fe, NM in 1932. She attended Wood Gormely Grade School, Harrington Junior High, and graduated from Santa Fe High School in 1950. During high school, she played the clarinet for the marching band and the marimba for the Tipica Orchestra. She was Santa Fe Fiesta Princesa in 1950. 

She was married to Joe Urias (of Phoenix, AZ) for ten years and while married she lived in Los Angeles, CA and Denver, CO. She returned to Santa Fe, NM in the late 1960s and reconnected with her high school sweetheart, Paul Davidson.

She had an extensive work history which included being a stenographer for Martin Marietta Company and a legal secretary for several local law firms including Catron, Catron & Sawtell and Neil Stillinger. She also worked for both the NM House of Representatives and the Senate. She concluded her career at the First Judicial District Court as a Court Monitor for the Children's Court. She was proud to retire just a few months shy of her 80th birthday. 

Afterwards, she relocated to Albuquerque to live with her daughter and son-in-law. She enjoyed travel to Italy, Spain, Gibraltar, Morocco, Washington DC, and Disneyland as well as other locations within NM. She loved music, was a talented piano player, and even taught lessons. She enjoyed going to concerts, movies, ballets, and was always up for trying new restaurants. She lived life to the fullest. She was happy, optimistic, and always had a positive outlook. She loved people and everyone who knew her loved her back.

She was a loving and involved mother and a frequent presence at her daughter's schools. She often brought Dunkin Donuts munchkins and other goodies for the entire class and throughout the years donated much needed paper and school supplies, andwas a tireless worker at the school bingo.

She was a lifelong Catholic and never wavered in her faith. Her life truly reflected God's goodness.

Theresa (Sister) is survived by her daughter, Elizabeth Davidson Arellano; her son-in-law, Commander Joseph P. Arellano, U.S. Navy (Retired); sister-in-law, Marie Gutierrez; nephew, Joseph Gutierrez (DiAna); nieces, Bernadette Lovato, Laura Davidson Perez (James); and Micki Davidson; great nephew, Jerrod Perez; great nieces, Nicole Dixon (Jaison), Emilia Gutierrez (Andrew Maisel), Julia Peterson (Stevie), and Kelly Cain (Ricky); great-great nephews Jalil Dixon and JJ Dixon; and great-great nieces, Ada Peterson, Isabel Maisel, and Blake Cain. She is also survived by many beloved cousins Arturo Gonzales (Viola), Karla Gonzales (husband, the late Tom Gonzales), David Gonzales (Andrea Pichaida), Joann Serna, Miguel Romero, Madge Griffin, David Romero (Stephanie), Barbara Shiepe (Roy), and MaryKay Eastburn. And lifelong friend and neighbor, since they were babies, Rosie Gilbert.

Services will be held Thursday, October 12, 2023, at The Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi. Rosary at 9:30 a.m. and Funeral Mass at 10:00 a.m. Burial to follow at Rosario Cemetery.

Pallbearers are James Perez, Jerrod Perez, Dennis Romero, Phil & Christine Ayala, and Rick & Kathy Davis.

Honorary Pallbearers are Henry J. Arellano, Margaret B. Arellano Davis, Philippa A. Arellano, Robert Archuleta, and Lance & Julia Bell.