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2016/08/30 - Burleson, AEB

(Amorebieta, Basque Country, 10-08-1916 - Burleson, TX 07-30-2016)

Maria Teresa Douglas, 99, passed away peacefully Saturday, July 30, 2016, surrounded by her family.

(Funeral: Funeral Mass, 10 a.m., Friday, August 5, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Burleson. Litany Rosary: 7 p.m., Thursday, August 4, at St. Ann Catholic Church in Burleson)

Maria Teresa Larrucea Douglas was born Oct. 8, 1916, in Amorebieta, Spain, to Pedro "Amorebieta I" Larrucea and Antonia Bustinza. She became a school teacher at a young age and selflessly accompanied Basque exiled children that were given refuge in England during the war in Spain. She remained with these children until they were all reunited with their families.

As a strong and independent woman, she was very involved in historic and patriotic movements. She was also a woman of distinction, having been part of New York high society and a well-respected educator at Sarah Lawrence College.

She was a world traveler, having lived on four continents and was known for being a glamorous and vivacious trendsetter.

The grandchildren are grateful for all the memories that we have shared with her over the years. The countless summers spending time with her in Spain, the influence that she had on each one of us in our adolescence, the encouragement that she always showed toward our studies, and the unconditional love and compassion she showed to each of us will be forever cherished.

Maria Teresa was preceded in death by her parents, 10 brothers and sisters, her husband, and daughter Maite Nerea Agiretxe de Arana.

Survivors: Grandchildren, Felipe de Arana of Fort Worth, Alvaro de Arana of Fort Worth, Borja de Arana and wife, Estibaliz, of Bilbao, Spain, Nerea de Arana-Henley and husband, David, of Fort Worth and Maite de Arana of Bilbao, Spain; great-grandchildren, David Henley, Daniel Henley, Gabrielle Henley and Maite Nerea de Arana.

(Published in Star-Telegram on Aug. 3, 2016)