In Loving Memory of

Thérèse S.

1931-2026

"C'est la vie."

This was a favorite phrase and guiding philosophy of Thérèse, who passed away peacefully on June 24, 2026, at the age of 95, in the love and comfort of her Albuquerque family home. For Thérèse, these words were not a shrug of resignation, but a profound statement of acceptance and grace—a belief that life happens as it does, and we must meet whatever comes with courage, faith, and an unshakable spirit.

Above all else, Thérèse's devout Christianity defined her existence. She practiced a fierce faith in Jesus and lived with an enduring hope in His Second Coming. She diligently raised her children in the assurance of Christ's forgiveness and the promise of eternal life. Because of this foundation of faith, her family takes immense comfort in knowing they will one day see both her and their father, waiting with open arms on the Other Side.

Born in Paris, France, in 1931, Thérèse's early life was forged in the crucible of history. As a young girl, she survived the atrocities of World War II, witnessing the heartbreak of 1940 when Hitler's Nazis occupied her beloved Paris and brazenly marched through the city's iconic L'Arc de Triomphe. Soon after, she was among the thousands of French children shipped by train to the countryside, separated from their parents for several months to years, to survive the occupation and escape the growing food shortages and Allied air raids in the city.

This early upheaval fostered extraordinary resourcefulness in Thérèse. At the tender age of 17, in the wake of a broken postwar Europe, she moved to England entirely on her own. While waiting tables on the British island of Jersey, she taught herself English and collected a lifetime of fond memories defined by a newfound sense of post-war freedom.

Her next great adventure began in Châteauroux, France, where she met a young U.S. Air Force serviceman named Joseph. They married there, welcomed their eldest son, and soon crossed the Atlantic to build a life together in the United States. Military life took them across the globe—from New Hampshire to Northern California (where two more sons were born), to Turkey (where their daughter was born), and Missouri. Of all their duty stations, Thérèse most delighted in the natural beauty of Northern California and the vibrant culture of Turkey. Eventually, the family settled in Albuquerque, New Mexico, which Thérèse called home for more than 45 years.

A consummate storyteller, Thérèse aspired to be a famous writer in her youth. As a young adult, she even wrote a fictional romance column for a small Paris periodical for a short time. While those early literary dreams were eventually eclipsed by the realities of home and family life, she redirected that creative energy entirely into her household, dedicating herself to her roles as a wife and mother with absolute selflessness and devotion.

Thérèse lived life with tenacity, zeal, and infectious laughter, always encouraging her children to persevere and see the positive in life. A masterful cook, she believed the best moments in life were spent sharing great conversation over a delicious meal, accompanied by a good glass of red wine (or Champagne—preferably the "real kind"). Her family was nurtured daily by her memorable cooking, and the holidays were legendary thanks to her homemade baked goods—from chocolatey Yule logs and Baked Alaskas to her famous date bars, Madeleines, cheesecake, and Black Forest birthday cakes.

When she wasn't presiding over her kitchen, Thérèse could be found reading her Bible, diving into historical fiction and murder mysteries, or sharing company over coffee in her beautiful backyard during its heyday, tending to her burgeoning fruit trees and blooming flowers. Her love for sharing and listening to great stories instilled a lifetime of curiosity and a deep love of travel in her children. She leaves behind a rich legacy of love, resilience, faith, great stories, and life-affirming recipes.

Thérèse was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Joseph, and her dear younger brother, Paul, of France. She is survived by her four children and one grandson in both Albuquerque, NM, and Denver, CO.

Next to her love of Christ and her family was her profound passion for animals, especially dogs. Over the decades, many lucky four-legged friends were the recipients of her boundless affection. In lieu of flowers, and in honor of Thérèse's deep love for her four-legged friends, the family requests that donations be made in her memory to your local animal humane shelter, Best Friends Animal Sanctuary, or the Humane World for Animals (formerly Humane Society of the US).

"The truth is that life is delicious, horrible, charming, frightful, sweet, bitter, and that is everything." — Anatole France