Theresa Francis Hastings

Theresa Francis Kalich Hastings, the daughter of Austrian/Slovenian parents Frank and Mary Kalich, was born in 1914 in Kansas City, Kansas. She grew up in a busy house with four brothers and three sisters. Times were hard in the depression, and Theresa traveled West as a Harvey girl in the mid 30’s, but soon met the love of her life, George Hastings Col. USAF. George was a native Arizonan who ran Civilian Conservation Corp camps at the Grand Canyon. They were married in 1935, and had two sons George Hastings Jr. and Larry Hastings Sr.. Theresa holds the record for women traveling by mule train to the bottom of the Grand Canyon, visiting her husband’s CCC camp at the Phantom Ranch. After three wars, relocations to Germany, Japan and seven states, and extensive travel, Theresa and George return to Arizona in 1957. Theresa enjoyed horseback riding, camping, fishing, and trips to Hawaii. She liked to garden, play bridge, cook, travel and socialize with friends. Her fondest times in later years were spending time with three grandchildren and six great grandchildren. Theresa was a member of St. Theresa Catholic Church and the Christ Child Society of Phoenix. She was, along with her husband George, a long time member of The Arizona Horsemen’s Association. She was preceded in death by her husband George and three sisters and two brothers. She is survived by her sons George of Phoenix and Larry Diana of San Diego; three grandchildren Larry Hastings Sarah of Phoenix, Angela Geiser Tim of San Jose, CA and Holly Gines Jason of San Diego, and six great grandchildren. She is also survived by her brothers Bill Kalich of Kansas City, Kansas, and Stanley Kalich of Wenatchee, Washington, and numerous nieces and nephews. A Rosary will be held at 7:00 PM Wednesday, February 6th, at Whitney & Murphy Funeral Home, 4800 E. Indian School Road, Phoenix, AZ 85018. The Funeral Mass will be held at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 5045 E. Thomas Road, Phoenix, at 10:00 AM on Thursday, February 7th. Burial will follow at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in her name to St. Theresa Scholarship Fund.

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