Teresa Chavez

Teresa J. G. Chavez (Tito), a loving and faithful wife, mother, grandmother and friend passed away on October 30, 2009 at the age of 79. She attended Alta Vista Elementary, Austin High School and Texas College of Mines in El Paso, Texas. She later attended The University of Texas at Austin as one of the first Hispanic women to graduate with a degree from the College of Pharmacy. As a pharmacist, Teresa spent a majority of her career in the Five Points area. She was the first woman Pharmacist to own and operate her own Pharmacy "Old Times Drugstore." She became active in the El Paso Pharmacy Association, serving on the Board of Directors and as Association President in 1994, continuing to serve on the Board of Directors until the year 2000. Teresa was responsible for beginning the Association Accredited Pharmacy Continuing Education Program that is still serviing El Paso Pharmacists and Pharmacy Technicians. She collaborated with Barry Coleman, Angie Gerstein and Dr. Shepack to start the El Paso Community College Pharmacist Technician Training Program, the first in the State of Texas. As a community leader, Teresa assisted in the formation of the Five Points Development Association in 1985 serving on the Board of Directors until the year 2000 and as Association President in 1991. Representing the Five Points Development Association, she contacted the El Paso Chief of Police to suggest converting the vacated Sears Department Store facilities in Five Points to Police Headquarters. Several years later this activity resulted in the conversion of the Sears building into the current Police Headquarters and Vehicle Maintenance Facility. Teresa also served as former President of the El Paso Board of Health, and the Central District Civic Association. In addition she was a Certified Silva Method Instructor and served as Vice-President of Interworld Home Health Care Inc. from 1994-2009. She is preceded in death by her husband Gabriel S. Chavez. She is survived by her son Gabriel A. Chavez, daughter Linda Chavez, daughter Claudia and her husband Paul de la Pena, as well as three grandchildren Giovanni, Teresa, and Gabriel. Teresa will be remembered not only for her academic and professional achievements, but most importantly for the dignity with which she held herself and treated others. Visitation Service Wednesday, November 4, 2009 5:00-9:00 p.m. with a Vigil Service Wednesday, November 4, 2009 6:30 p.m. at Martin Funeral Home-Central. 3839 Montana Ave. Funeral Mass Thursday, November 5, 2009 9:45 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1315 Travis St.. Interment will follow at Ft. Bliss National Cemetery, 5200 Fred Wilson.