Teresa Maria Orozco

A recitation of the Holy Rosary and a Mass of Christian Burial will be held this Friday and Saturday in Capitola for Teresa Orozco who passed away in Capitola following a lengthy illness. Born in Araro, Michoacán, Mexico, she was 69 years old. She resided in Pescadero and Davenport before moving to Santa Cruz in 1967. A strong and moral woman, she was generous with her time, continually caring for those who were struggling, and possessed a very tender heart for children. Teresa would load up her truck with clothing and toys and drive to the poorest neighborhoods in Tijuana. She then would donate everything she had brought to people she did not know, but were in desperate need. She drove cancer patients to their appointments, opened up her own women’s chapter of AA, and was a volunteer counselor for prison ministries. She was a parishioner of Our Lady of the Assumption Catholic Church in Pajaro, and attended St. Joseph’s Catholic Community in Capitola. Often opinionated and always hard working, Teresa opened her own business in cleaning services which she operated for 20 years. Her devotion to her family was of the upmost priority. Her family could always count on her sound advice and wisdom to help guide and provide them with strength and resilience during rough times. She loved all animals, especially birds which she would rescue, and nurse back to health when she found them injured. Teresa was proud to have been one of the original members of Spa Fitness Center, and will be missed by her many friends in the aquatics and yoga classes there. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Sandra and Bryan Lilly of Aptos, her sons; Jaime Alvarez, and Carlos Alvarez both of Santa Cruz. One of 7 children, she was preceded in death by her brother and sister Francisco and Luz, and is survived by her brothers; Jose Orozco of Michoacán, Eliseo Orozco of San Jose, Ca; sisters; Bertha Orozco Cruz of Santa Cruz, Emelia Orozco Chavez of Stockton. She also leaves her grandchildren: Alexis Lilly, Maria Miller, Christian Lilly, Brisa Alvarez, Abraham Alvarez, Samantha Alvarez, Isabella Lilly, Jacob Alvarez, Noah Alvarez, and the father of her children Fernando Alvarez of Santa Cruz. She will be missed by her 4 canine friends, and of course, birds everywhere. The rosary and vigil will be held at St. Joseph’s Church (435 Monterey Ave.) in Capitola on Friday May 18th, beginning at 6:30 p.m. The mass will be celebrated on Saturday May 19, 2018 beginning at 12:30 p.m. at the church. Burial services will follow at Santa Cruz Memorial Park. You may make a kind act of charity in her memory to someone in need, or a benevolent organization for animals.