Theresa Marie Wadovich Gieg passed away peacefully on May 6, 2019, at the age of 83, though she would have emphatically told anyone who asked that she never grew a day older than 39 years.
From her birth in Buffalo, New York to Neva Wadovich Johnson and Stephen J. Wadovich on June 7, 1935, to her death in Jacksonville, Oregon, she was a fiercely loyal sister, mother, grandmother and great grandmother, an active citizen and a loving friend.
As the oldest of four siblings, Theresa, or “Terri” as many knew her, was a role model to her younger siblings, Nancy, Sally and John. She was the loving wife of Bruce E. Gieg Sr., and mother to Deon G. Gieg (Arlene), Bruce E. Gieg Jr., Amanda “Mandy” Menchaca (Andrew), and Karen Lillesve (Dave). She was the doting grandmother to Bruce E. Gieg III “Tre” (Jordan), Michelle Gieg, Ashley Gieg Stephens (John), Andrew “Mario” Menchaca, Austin “Tex” Menchaca, Derek Deon Gieg, Jordan Lillesve and Alexander “Alex” Menchaca. She was also the great grandmother to Kinston Gieg, Cohen Gieg, and Gray Stephens. “Aunt Terri” or “Grandma Gieg,” as many called her, will also be missed by many loving nieces, nephews and friends.
Theresa grew up in San Fernando, California where she attended San Fernando Mission High School. It was after high school when she met, then married the love of her life, Bruce on July 12, 1953. After the arrival of their three children, she became heavily involved in Scouting, culminating in 1976 with Theresa winning the Silver Beaver Award, one of scouting’s highest honors. She followed each of her children through their accolade-filled careers in football, baseball and cheerleading, never allowing them to give less than their very best toward their endeavors.
Theresa arrived in Jacksonville in the summer of 1981 and immediately fell in love with the town’s history, architecture, and nostalgic feel. She soon began working with her long time friend, Ann Wisnovsky, at Valley View Winery “VVW”, and she helped to launch the VVW Tasting Room on California Street in downtown Jacksonville. Thus began her love affair with all things related to “her” town. Theresa was an essential part in the creation of the Victorian Christmas and Chinese New Year Celebrations. She served as an officer for the Rotary and President of the Chamber of Commerce. In 1998 she was proclaimed the Jacksonville Chamber of Commerce Person of the Year. Favorite shared memories of her grandchildren included visits to Jacksonville to ride the trolley, because “Grandma knows everyone in town and we feel so special when we are with her.”
Saint Joseph Catholic Church in Jacksonville held a special place in Theresa’s heart. She spent many hours working with the choir, raising money, and even cleaning the church and rectory. You could hear her on the organ on Sundays, with her favorite services being Christmas and Easter.
Of all the things she was proud of in her life, some of the moments that brought Theresa the most joy were celebrating in the successes of her children and grandchildren. She had a way of making the special people in her life feel so cared for and comforted. Whether it was her grandchildren’s photos and awards in her shop window, a greeting card with the most important parts underlined, or a special message on an answering machine, Theresa never missed an opportunity to care intensely for the people in this world who she loved.
We thank God for the many years we had with Theresa, and for the many memories that will live on in those she left to carry forward her legacy.
A celebration of her life on Saturday, June 29, 2019 at 2:00 p.m. will be held at Valley View Winery. Please R.S.V.P. to 504-914-5517. In lieu of flowers, please send memorial contributions in Theresa’s name to the Alzheimer’s Association and the American Cancer Society.