Teresa Cuevas

Teresa Cuevas, 93, of Topeka passed away Thursday, December 12, 2013 in Topeka.
Teresa was born April 20, 1920 in Topeka daughter of Thomas and Jacinta (Sendejas) Alonzo. On January 12, 1940, she married Ignacio Cuevas and they had five children who survive, Emilio (Mary) Cuevas, Ignacio (Karen) Cuevas, Rodolfo (Bonnie) Cuevas, Rosemary (Olin) Mentzer all of Topeka and Thomas Cuevas, MD of Kansas City, MO. They later divorced and Ignacio died on December 21, 1986. Also surviving are thirteen grandchildren, seven great grandchildren, two sisters Helen Acevedo and Diana Tostado and two brothers Raul Alonzo and Rene Alonzo. Preceding her in death was her son-in-law, Olin Mentzer; her granddaughter Marlo Cuevas-Balandran; three brothers, Rodolfo Alonzo, Rosendo Alonzo, Ruben Alonzo and one sister Florence Alejos.
In life, her accomplishments and contributions were enormous but, most important to Teresa were her family and her music. Teresa is known throughout the United States as a master mariachi violinist who formed the first all-female mariachi band in the U.S., Mariachi Estrella ™. Her legacy lives on through her grandchildren whom she taught to play mariachi violin and speak the Spanish language. She gave freely of her time and talents teaching violin and the Spanish language to many Topeka youths and adults thus keeping mariachi music and the culture alive long after her passing. Teresa was a beautiful woman and an inspiration to countless people.
Teresa’s life will be celebrated Saturday, December 21, 2013, 10:30am at a Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church. She will lie in state Friday from noon – 8:00 p.m. with visitation from 6:00 -8:00 pm at the Davidson Funeral Home. Memorial contributions may be made to Amigos for the Marlo Cuevas-Balandran Activity Center and sent to Davidson’s Funeral Home. Online condolences may be made at davidsonfuneral.com.