Teresa Muñiz passed away peacefully on March 21, 2025.

Tere was born in Pittsburg, CA, the fifth of six children to Gumara Sandoval and Ramon Guzman. Raised in Arandas, Mexico, she returned to Pittsburg as a teenager and graduated salutatorian of Pittsburg High School's Class of 1958.  While in high school, she worked at the New Mecca Cafe. It was there that she met her husband, Guillermo Muñiz, and where, in 1964, the two of them bought the New Mecca Cafe upon the death of owner Moises Vasquez.

Tere's ownership and operation of the restaurant for 61 years formed an important cornerstone of her life and her connection with the greater community. While her husband was the more visible community presence, Tere ran the restaurant's kitchen, working tirelessly to prepare food for her customers alongside her employees. She had deep gratitude for the Pittsburg community that embraced the restaurant, and she was generous in her support of community and youth programs.

While working full time at the Mecca, Tere raised three children and became Aunt Tere to many. A lifelong learner, she then furthered her education at Los Medanos College, where she wrote many essays chronicling her family history.  She was a natural historian, sharing stories and photos of our family over generations. She also loved books, jigsaw puzzles, movies, and Mexican telenovelas.

Family was of the utmost importance to Tere. She was a family anchor, hosting holiday gatherings and reunions welcoming dozens of family and friends in her home with joy and ease.  She exuded kindness and generosity and was nurturing to all. Tere also loved animals, with her pets always at her side and holding a special place in her heart.

She is survived by two children, Alberto Muñiz (Lourdes Gutierrez) of Pittsburg and Marcela Muñiz (Josh Roper) of San Francisco; three granddaughters, Alejandra and Mariana Roper of San Francisco, and Elisabeth Elliott McCreary of Albuquerque, New Mexico; and four great-grandchildren. She is also survived by her siblings Jeannie Herrera of Antioch, Philip Guzman of Wichita, Kansas, and Martin Guzman of Pittsburg, along with an extensive family of cousins, nieces, and nephews across the country and Mexico. She is preceded in death by her husband, Guillermo Muñiz, her son Bill Muñiz, and by two sisters, Magdalena Guzman and Lucy Zendejas.

Visitation will take place on Tuesday, April 1, 2025, at 5pm with prayer vigil at 5:30pm at Pittsburg Funeral Chapel, 2295 Railroad Avenue in Pittsburg, and a funeral mass will take place on Wednesday, April 2, 2025, at 10:30am at the Church of the Good Shepherd, 3200 Harbor Street in Pittsburg. Burial will be private. In lieu of flowers, donations in Tere's memory can be made to Loaves and Fishes of Contra Costa https://loavesfishescc.org/donate/