Teresa Ancheta DeAnda

Teresa Ancheta DeAnda March 4, 1959 - October 27, 2014 55 years old Teresa was born on March 4, 1959 to Pantaleon Ancheta and Dora Ramos in Delano, California and remained proud of her Filipino and Mexican heritage throughout her life. She was a lifetime resident of Earlimart, California growing up and eventually raising her own children in her father’s home. One of three siblings, Teresa attended Earlimart schools and Delano High School. Teresa joined the staff of the Californians for Pesticide Reform coalition in 2003 where she worked as their Central Valley Coordinator for nine years. Teresa changed the face of pesticide activism in California and helped spark a renewed movement to protect community and worker health from pesticides in the San Joaquin Valley. Among many awards received throughout her career, In 2005, Teresa won two distinctions: the Anthony Grassroots Environmental Prize for outstanding grassroots environmental activism in California and the Women’s Foundation of California’s GroundBreaker/DreamMaker Award recognizing women leaders that have championed the human rights of California’s women and girls. Teresa’s hard work resulted in many accomplishments as an activist, yet she always had time for family, friends and community. She lived her life full life of love, spontaneity, and dedication to family. Teresa could often be found spending time with her children and playing with her grandchildren cheering them on at sports events, and dance recitals. After being diagnosed with cancer in 2012, Teresa Ancheta DeAnda passed away peacefully in Jacksonville, Florida on October 27, 2014 with family at her bedside. She is survived by her husband Roberto DeAnda, children and grandchildren, all of whom are residents of Earlimart and Delano. Teresa has left a deep legacy and will be missed deeply: her contribution to the environmental justice movement was profound, and her contribution to each of our lives—through her laughter, kindness, creativity, generosity, and playfulness—remains strongly in our hearts. We are all honored to have known the love of a kind, strong, selfless, intelligent, compassionate woman. A memorial service will be held on Sunday, November 16th at 10:00am at Delano High School auditorium,1331 Cecil Ave, Delano, CA 93215. All are welcome.