The Mass of the Resurrection for Teresa Gies, 96, of Portales, will be celebrated at 10:00 AM, Mon., Feb. 6, 2017 at St. Helen Catholic Church in Portales by Fr. Charles Ugochukwu. Burial will follow in the Portales Cemetery with Jerry Gies, Jan Gies, Jan Gies, Jr., David Gies, Patrick Gies and Steve Brust serving as pallbearers.
Teresa Margaret Gies was born June 14, 1920 in Wellington, New Zealand to the home of Ellen (Mahoney) and Jules Kay and died in Portales, NM on Feb. 1, 2017. Mrs. Gies grew up in New Zealand, and served her country in the New Zealand Air Force during WWII. Her main duties were clerical, but she was trained in loading an anti aircraft gun in case of a Japanese invasion. She became acquainted with a US Marine, Gerald J. Gies who was stationed nearby. Mr. Gies was sent back into action, and was wounded and sent back to the US. At the end of the War, she followed him to the US, and they were married in NJ on Nov. 22, 1945.
They made their home in NJ for a number of years. While her sons were in Cub Scouts, she was a Den Mother and very active in the activities.
In the late 1950’s, Mr. Gies contracted MS, and Mrs. Gies entered the workforce as a retail clerk in a department store. In 1960, they moved to southern Florida, and she continued working until she was 87 years old. She loved people, and thoroughly enjoyed her job and the people she was able to meet. In 2007, she moved to Portales with her son and daughter-in-law.
She was a devoted member of the Catholic church, and attended daily masses as long as her health would permit. She enjoyed gardening and reading, particularly historical works and religious books. She also loved her pets.
Mrs. Gies is survived by two sons and daughters-in-law, Gerald and Linda Gies of Portales and Jan and Debra Gies of Pompano Beach, FL; four grandchildren, Eric, Jan Jr., David and Patrick Gies; and four great-grandchildren, Summer, Zachary, Justin and Christian Gies; and a sister, Therese of New Zealand. She was preceded in death by her parents as well as by several brothers and sisters, and her beloved husband, who died in 1987.
