Theresa Waldschmitt

The family and friends of Theresa Sarah (Lopez) Waldschmitt share the news of the passing of their wife, sister, aunt, cousin and dear friend on Monday, December 2nd, 2024, after living an amazing journey of life of 84 years. Theresa was the first of six children born to Sarah and Tony Lopez, Sr. at Riverside Community Hospital in Riverside, California on May 18, 1940. She was a long-time resident of the Inland Empire, most recently living 52 years in Grand Terrace with the love of her life, husband Arnold “Arnie” Waldschmitt. Theresa was educated at local schools, including St. Francis de Sales Girls High School, Riverside and Riverside City College. She excelled in her studies and was an accomplished organist, playing at her life-long Riverside Catholic parishes of Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and St. Francis de Sales Parish. She had a love for music and art, but most especially had a deep love for her family and her friends, always showing great generosity with a caring and compassionate heart for other people. Teri began work right out of high school and entered public service, first at Norton Air Force Base in San Bernardino and then at the City of Riverside Public Utilities Water Department from where she retired in 2005 with illustrious recommendations from the Mayor and City Manager. She rose up the clerical ranks to the position of water permits manager, a job in which she was responsible for the approval of all water applications for housing and building projects in the growing City of Riverside. Teri’s greatest passion was found in her volunteer ministry at various Catholic parishes in the Inland Empire, including Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine and St. Francis de Sales Parish in Riverside, as well as Immaculate Conception Parish in Colton and Our Lady of the Rosary Cathedral, San Bernardino. Her love for her faith and her priests was a strong source of her community involvement for over 80 decades. She was preceded in death by paternal and maternal grandparents, aunts and uncles, and parents, Sarah and Tony, and a younger sister, Patricia Y. Lopez. She is survived by her husband of 52 years, Arnie Waldschmitt of Grand Terrace; sister Ramona Braaten of Arlington, Washington; brother David Lopez of Bakersfield; brothers Lt. Col. (retired) Anthony Lopez, Jr. and Msgr. Gerry Lopez of Riverside; as well as numerous nephews, nieces, great nephews and great nieces living in Alabama, Arizona, California, Hawaii, Oklahoma, Texas, and Washington State. Also, survived by her faithful caregivers, Alma and Jackie Zamano, whom she saw as her daughter and granddaughter. Teri’s family invites you to join them in celebrating her life in faith at the following Roman Catholic liturgies: a Vigil and Rosary will be prayed on Sunday, December 15, 2024, at 6:30 PM at Our Lady of Guadalupe Shrine, 2858 Ninth Street, Riverside 92507. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held on Monday, December 16, 2024, at 11:30 AM at St. Francis de Sales Parish, 4268 Lime Street, Riverside 92501. A reception will be held after the funeral Mass at the Riverside Marriott Hotel, 3400 Market Street, Riverside 92501 . Interment will be privately arranged for immediate family. Funeral services and floral deliveries will be conducted by Preston and Simons Mortuary, 3358 Mission Inn Avenue, Riverside 92501. May Theresa rest in Our Lord’s peace and joy.

Theresa Waldschmitt

May 18, 1940 - December 2, 2024