Mary Theresa Westcott passed away on Wednesday, December 31, 2025, at Riverside Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Riverside, Missouri.
She was born on June 30, 1938, to Pedro and Josephine (Lopez) Guardado in St. Joseph, Missouri.
married Gary Westcott on January 27, 1972. They enjoyed 46-plus years of marriage before Gary’s passing in 2019.
Theresa worked for many years as a seamstress at the H.D. Lee factory, sewing pockets on jeans. She could sew anything.
When she and Gary married, they owned and operated Hurds Auction along with Penn St. Square. Gary was the original “Storage Wars” guy – auctioning and purchasing abandoned storage units and operating a second store at 22nd and Messanie. Theresa was the original “Don’t forget to pay the lady.” She kept track of sales and collected the money.
Theresa ended her working days as a cook for the St. Joseph School District at Skaith Elementary. She met many friends there who were the same size as her.
Theresa attended Holy Rosary Elementary and Convent of the Sacred Heart High School. She was a longtime member of St. Patrick Catholic Church.
Theresa was preceded in death by her parents, Pedro and Josephine Guardado; her husband, Gary Westcott; sons, Steven Martinez and Larry Westcott; grandson, Darin Martinez; brothers, Louie, Raymond, Michael, and Pete Guardado; and sister, Kathleen Guardado.
Survivors include her children, Tony (Shauna) Martinez, Brenda (Lance) Wood, Gary (Joni) Westcott, Jr., Tim Westcott, and Lois (Danny) Evans; grandchildren, Casey (Lauren) Martinez and Emily Martinez; numerous great-grandchildren; sisters, Juanita Cruz, Pauline Mejia, Carmen (Frank) Ellis, Delores Dyer, Anna (Ronnie) Reno, Maggie (Marty) Schnabel, and Lupe Sparks; brothers, Bob (Barb) Guardado, Charlie (Donna) Guardado, Frank (Kris) Guardado, and Albert (Debby) Guardado; numerous nieces and nephews.
Mass of Christian Burial and Public Livestream 10:00 A.M. Monday, January 5, Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Interment Mount Olivet Cemetery. The family will gather with friends one hour prior to the service. In lieu of flowers, the family suggests memorial contributions to Camp Haven, a camp for children who have lost a loved one that was started in honor of Theresa’s grandson, Darin Martinez.
