Teresa Richey

FREDERICKSBURG Teresa Pauline Vella Richey, 84, of Fredericksburg, Texas passed away December 16, 2014 at her residence. Services will be at 10 AM, Saturday, December 20, 2014 at St. Marys Catholic Church, with Father Enda McKenna officiating the Funeral Mass following the Recitation of the Holy Rosary. Interment will follow at Royse City Cemetery, Royse City, Texas on Sunday, December 21, 2014 at 2 PM.

Mrs. Richey was born March 11, 1930 to Spiro Vella and Teresa Quattromani Vella in Detroit, Michigan. She spent her childhood growing up in Mobile, Alabama. Her parents emigrated from Malta in 1929. At the age of 19 Teresa entered the Sisters of Loretto Convent and became Sister Marian Therese Vella. In 1959, she obtained her Bachelor of Arts at Loretto Heights College and a Masters of Arts with a major in English was obtained at St. Louis University in 1967. She served the Sisters of Loretto for 20 years in education. Her last position was as Principal of Bishop Toolen High School in Mobile, Alabama.

On July 21, 1973, Teresa married Sammie Richey, Jr. in Arlington, Texas. In 1984 they moved to Waco, Texas and lived there for 24 years. During that time, she taught at Texas State Technical College in the English Department for 15 years. Mr. Richey died May 27, 2005. After his death, Mrs. Richey moved to Fredericksburg, Texas to be near her family.

She is preceded in death by her parents husband of 31 years, Sammie Richey, Jr daughter, Vicky Diann Richey Hoover sisters, Mary Vella Schwehm and Rita Vella Mallini.

Those left to honor and cherish her memory are her sister, Frances Vella Boney brother, Spiro Lawrence Vella daughters, Vonda LaRue Richey of Fredericksburg, Texas and Verenda Joye Richey Fuller of Abilene, Texas seven grandchildren and ten greatgrandchildren along with several nieces and nephews in Mobile, Alabama.

Honorary pallbearers will be Jonathan Huckabee, John Fuller, Charles Fuller, Luke Van Diest, Kyle Alford, and Mike Kyzar.
In lieu of floral arrangements, memorials may be made to Ave Maria Hospice, 12078 South State Highway 16, Fredericksburg, Texas, 78624 or to the Sisters of Lorreto, 590 E. Lockwood Ave., St. Louis, MO, 631193279.

The family would like to thank Brandi RheinhardtSmith and Tom Adams, RN, of Ave Maria Hospice for their love and attention to our beloved Teresa.

The family invites you to leave a message or memory at www.kerrvillefuneralhometx.com by selecting Obituaries. Select Sign Guestbook at the top right of the individual memorial.

Arrangements are under the direction and personal care of the professionals at Kerrville Funeral Home. 830 8955111

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