Mary Theresa Pabon's Obituary
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Mary Theresa Avila Pabon, age 88, of Orlando, Florida and formerly of Chicago, Illinois passed away on March 26, 2026.
Mary Theresa was born on May 6, 1937 in Chicago, Illinois, the daughter of Maria Teresa Alvarado Avila and Francisco Mozqueda Avila Parocua who later divorced. Mary Theresa was the first-born of her four siblings: Former Commissioner of the Metropolitan Water Reclamation District of Greater Chicago Manuel Frank (Sherry) of Chicago; Richard of Pinellas Park, Florida; and Daniel of Chicago. When her parents divorced and her father married again, she gained her Step-Mother Pat Metzger and her three half-brothers: (now deceased) Navy Submarine Commander Richard; Russell (Liane) of Maricopa, Arizona; and Robert (Diane) of Chicago. Before she died, she discovered her brother Bruce (Anne) Schermerhorn of Plainwell, Michigan.
Mary Theresa was the only one of the eight siblings who could speak, read, and write fluent Spanish. Her Father Francisco played Bass Fiddle in a band, and Mary Theresa mastered the piano. She loved gardening as did her Father Francisco, and she grew beautiful roses and many other plants in her gardens in Chicago and Florida. She deeply loved her dogs Bart, Eddie and Chewie.
Family always came first for her. As the eldest sibling, Mary Theresa assumed much responsibility supporting her family financially as well as in many other ways. She helped her Mother take care of her Grandfather Merced Alvarado who lived with them and died of cancer in 1964.
Mary Theresa attended Jefferson Grammar Chicago Public School, First Immanuel Lutheran School, Saint Matthew Lutheran School, and Ebenezer Lutheran School where she graduated from 8th Grade in Chicago.
She graduated from Harrison High School Class of 1955 in Chicago. Mary Theresa got her working experience by observing and helping her Mother who served as a Precinct Captain for the 5th Precinct of the 46th Ward as well as the 1st Ward and 22nd Ward. From early on,
Mary Theresa served as an Election Judge in Chicago. She worked at the Richard J. Daley Center for the Clerk of the Circuit Court in Chicago. Mary Theresa married Angel Antonio Pabon-Molina 1957, and their only son Antonio “Tony” Pabon was born in 1958. Mary Theresa and Angel divorced. Demonstrating her strength and resilience, she was a loving and devoted “Single Parent” making sure that her son Tony attended good Catholic Schools Mt. Carmel Catholic Elementary School and Quigley Preparatory Seminary, Chicago.
Mary Theresa was a loving and very devoted Grandmother to all three of her beautiful, educated, talented, gifted Granddaughters who were born in Florida: Danielle, Alexandra, and Grace. Mary Theresa helped nurse nephew Rick Avila’s Mother Judy Higgins back to health after a serious car accident. While working full-time, she and her Mother helped raise her nephew Rick Avila whose Mother passed away when he was only about two years old in 1972 in Chicago. In addition, she hosted her nieces and nephews who came for summer visits and some who lived with them in Florida for years.
Mary Theresa and her brother Richard were devoted caretakers of their Mother who passed away February, 2004 in Florida. When Mary Theresa moved to Florida around 1975, she worked for the Pinellas Marine Institute (PMI) as their Office Manager. After her son Tony graduated from Loyola University with his degree in Political Science; while still working full-time, she pursued further education at St. Petersburg Junior College to study Nursing, and she achieved her Nursing Degree. She worked as a Nurse at Saint Anthony’s Hospital and Bayfront Medical Center in St. Petersburg as well as serving as an Hospice Nurse with Pinellas County.
Mary Theresa will be remembered for her deep devotion and dedication to family, loving Parent and Grandparent, caring for others, master gardening, love of her dogs, intelligence, value of education, value of music, ability to communicate in Spanish, and her incredible resilience and strength.
Mary Theresa Avila Pabon’s Wake will be held Friday, April 10 from held at 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, Florida 33709, from 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM. A Funeral will be held Saturday, April 11, at 1:00 PM, at Memorial Park Funeral Home, 5750 49th Street N., St. Petersburg, Florida 33709. Her burial will be held Saturday, April 11 at 2:00 pm at Memorial Park Cemetery, 5750 49th Street North, St. Petersburg, FL. Her grave site will be Section 5, Division L, Lot 7.
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