Marie Teresa Rios
Encyclopedia
Marie Teresa Ríos, also Marie Teresa Ríos Versace, (pen name "Tere Ríos") (November 9, 1917–October 17, 1999) was the Puerto Rican
- American
author of a book which was the basis for the 1960s television sitcom, The Flying Nun
. Ríos was the mother of Humbert Roque Versace
, the first U.S. Army Prisoner of war
in Southeast Asia awarded the Medal of Honor
.
in the early part of the 20th century and settled in the New York City
borough
of Brooklyn
where Maria Teresa Ríos was born. She grew up in Puerto Rico and eventually returned to New York. Ríos Versace was a devout Catholic
who became interested in writing at a young age.
In the 1930s, she met and married Humbert Joseph Versace, a 1933 graduate of the United States Military Academy
(West Point). Together they had five children, Humbert Roque
, twins Stephen and Richard Versace
(former coach of the Indiana Pacers
), Michael and Trilby. As an Army wife, she traveled to different places around the world, including Hawaii
, where her first child, Humbert Roque was born.
, Ríos (now Ríos Versace) drove Army trucks and buses. She also served as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol
. Ríos Versace wrote and edited for various newspapers around the world, including places such as Guam
, Germany
, Wisconsin
, and South Dakota
, and publications such the Armed Forces Star & Stripes
and Gannett.
She also taught creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh
and was on the staff of the Rhinelander Writers Conference. In 1958, she was named "Wisconsin Writer of the Year". In 1963, Ríos Versace published her first book An Angel Grows Up (1957) using the pen name "Tere Ríos". She soon followed that with another book, Brother Angel (1963).
Her eldest son, Humbert Roque Versace
, followed his father's footsteps and graduated from West Point. He was sent to the Republic of Vietnam as a military advisor with the rank of Captain. During his second tour in Vietnam he was captured, along with two other Americans, by the Viet Cong. Captain Versace was executed by his captors on September 26, 1965, an event which devastated her.
Unaware of her son's death, she published her third book, titled The Fifteenth Pelican, in 1966. The book's dedication reads as follows: "FOR THE ROCK (Her son's nickname) and the children and sugar people of NamCan". The TV series The Flying Nun
, starring Sally Field
, was based on this book. The sitcom was produced by ABC
between 1967 and 1970.
Upon learning of their son's fate, Ríos Versace and her husband tried to find out what they could about the circumstances surrounding his death. She went to Paris
in the late 1960s, trying unsuccessfully to see the North Vietnamese delegation as it arrived for peace talks. Ríos Versace expressed her frustration and anguish in poems.
. Her husband Colonel Humbert Joseph Versace died on June 12, 1972.
Ríos Versace returned to Puerto Rico in 1990, retiring in the town of Fajardo
. In 1999, she was diagnosed with lung cancer
and she left the island to return to the mainland. She was hospitalized in Sarasota, Florida
. Marie Teresa Rios Versace died on October 17, 1999 and her funeral was held at the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel. Representatives of the Special Operations Command from Fort Bragg were present. Her ashes were buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery
on November 12, 1999. She was survived by her four children Dr. Stephen, Richard
(former coach of the Indiana Pacers
), Michael and Trilby Versace
presented Marie Teresa Ríos Versace's surviving children with the Medal of Honor which was posthumously awarded to Captain Humbert Roque Versace.
Puerto Rican people
A Puerto Rican is a person who was born in Puerto Rico.Puerto Ricans born and raised in the continental United States are also sometimes referred to as Puerto Ricans, although they were not born in Puerto Rico...
- American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
author of a book which was the basis for the 1960s television sitcom, The Flying Nun
The Flying Nun
The Flying Nun is an American sitcom produced by Screen Gems for ABC based on the 1965 book The Fifteenth Pelican, by Tere Rios, which starred Sally Field as Sister Bertrille...
. Ríos was the mother of Humbert Roque Versace
Humbert Roque Versace
Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace was a United States Army officer of Puerto Rican-Italian descent who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his heroic actions while a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He was the first member of...
, the first U.S. Army Prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
in Southeast Asia awarded the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
.
Early years
Ríos' parents immigrated from Puerto RicoPuerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
in the early part of the 20th century and settled in the New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
borough
Borough
A borough is an administrative division in various countries. In principle, the term borough designates a self-governing township although, in practice, official use of the term varies widely....
of Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...
where Maria Teresa Ríos was born. She grew up in Puerto Rico and eventually returned to New York. Ríos Versace was a devout Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
who became interested in writing at a young age.
In the 1930s, she met and married Humbert Joseph Versace, a 1933 graduate of the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
(West Point). Together they had five children, Humbert Roque
Humbert Roque Versace
Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace was a United States Army officer of Puerto Rican-Italian descent who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his heroic actions while a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He was the first member of...
, twins Stephen and Richard Versace
Dick Versace
Dick Versace is a former basketball coach and National Basketball Association executive. He's also the first person of Puerto Rican descent to have coached an NBA team.-Early years:...
(former coach of the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
), Michael and Trilby. As an Army wife, she traveled to different places around the world, including Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, where her first child, Humbert Roque was born.
Career as a writer
During World War IIWorld War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, Ríos (now Ríos Versace) drove Army trucks and buses. She also served as a pilot for the Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol
Civil Air Patrol is a Congressionally chartered, federally supported, non-profit corporation that serves as the official civilian auxiliary of the United States Air Force . CAP is a volunteer organization with an aviation-minded membership that includes people from all backgrounds, lifestyles, and...
. Ríos Versace wrote and edited for various newspapers around the world, including places such as Guam
Guam
Guam is an organized, unincorporated territory of the United States located in the western Pacific Ocean. It is one of five U.S. territories with an established civilian government. Guam is listed as one of 16 Non-Self-Governing Territories by the Special Committee on Decolonization of the United...
, Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
, Wisconsin
Wisconsin
Wisconsin is a U.S. state located in the north-central United States and is part of the Midwest. It is bordered by Minnesota to the west, Iowa to the southwest, Illinois to the south, Lake Michigan to the east, Michigan to the northeast, and Lake Superior to the north. Wisconsin's capital is...
, and South Dakota
South Dakota
South Dakota is a state located in the Midwestern region of the United States. It is named after the Lakota and Dakota Sioux American Indian tribes. Once a part of Dakota Territory, South Dakota became a state on November 2, 1889. The state has an area of and an estimated population of just over...
, and publications such the Armed Forces Star & Stripes
Stars and Stripes (newspaper)
Stars and Stripes is a news source that operates from inside the United States Department of Defense but is editorially separate from it. The First Amendment protection which Stars and Stripes enjoys is safeguarded by Congress to whom an independent ombudsman, who serves the readers' interests,...
and Gannett.
She also taught creative writing at the University of Pittsburgh
University of Pittsburgh
The University of Pittsburgh, commonly referred to as Pitt, is a state-related research university located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States. Founded as Pittsburgh Academy in 1787 on what was then the American frontier, Pitt is one of the oldest continuously chartered institutions of...
and was on the staff of the Rhinelander Writers Conference. In 1958, she was named "Wisconsin Writer of the Year". In 1963, Ríos Versace published her first book An Angel Grows Up (1957) using the pen name "Tere Ríos". She soon followed that with another book, Brother Angel (1963).
The Fifteenth Pelican and Humbert Roque Versace
Humbert Roque Versace
Captain Humbert Roque "Rocky" Versace was a United States Army officer of Puerto Rican-Italian descent who was awarded the United States' highest military decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his heroic actions while a prisoner of war during the Vietnam War. He was the first member of...
, followed his father's footsteps and graduated from West Point. He was sent to the Republic of Vietnam as a military advisor with the rank of Captain. During his second tour in Vietnam he was captured, along with two other Americans, by the Viet Cong. Captain Versace was executed by his captors on September 26, 1965, an event which devastated her.
Unaware of her son's death, she published her third book, titled The Fifteenth Pelican, in 1966. The book's dedication reads as follows: "FOR THE ROCK (Her son's nickname) and the children and sugar people of NamCan". The TV series The Flying Nun
The Flying Nun
The Flying Nun is an American sitcom produced by Screen Gems for ABC based on the 1965 book The Fifteenth Pelican, by Tere Rios, which starred Sally Field as Sister Bertrille...
, starring Sally Field
Sally Field
Sally Margaret Field is an American actress, singer, producer, director, and screenwriter. In each decade of her career, she has been known for major roles in American TV/film culture, including: in the 1960s, for Gidget or Sister Bertrille on The Flying Nun ; in the 1970s, for Sybil , Smokey and...
, was based on this book. The sitcom was produced by ABC
American Broadcasting Company
The American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
between 1967 and 1970.
Upon learning of their son's fate, Ríos Versace and her husband tried to find out what they could about the circumstances surrounding his death. She went to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in the late 1960s, trying unsuccessfully to see the North Vietnamese delegation as it arrived for peace talks. Ríos Versace expressed her frustration and anguish in poems.
Final years
Ríos Versace was presented with a Special Forces patch and unit membership certificate. In 1970, a movement to award her son with the Medal of Honor failed and instead Ríos Versace and her husband were presented with their son's Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
. Her husband Colonel Humbert Joseph Versace died on June 12, 1972.
Ríos Versace returned to Puerto Rico in 1990, retiring in the town of Fajardo
Fajardo, Puerto Rico
Fajardo is a small city in Puerto Rico located in the east region of the island, bordering the Atlantic Ocean, north of Ceiba and east of Luquillo.Fajardo is spread over 7 wards and Downtown Fajardo , which serves as the administrative center of the city...
. In 1999, she was diagnosed with lung cancer
Lung cancer
Lung cancer is a disease characterized by uncontrolled cell growth in tissues of the lung. If left untreated, this growth can spread beyond the lung in a process called metastasis into nearby tissue and, eventually, into other parts of the body. Most cancers that start in lung, known as primary...
and she left the island to return to the mainland. She was hospitalized in Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota, Florida
Sarasota is a city located in Sarasota County on the southwestern coast of the U.S. state of Florida. It is south of the Tampa Bay Area and north of Fort Myers...
. Marie Teresa Rios Versace died on October 17, 1999 and her funeral was held at the Ft. Myer Old Post Chapel. Representatives of the Special Operations Command from Fort Bragg were present. Her ashes were buried with her husband at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
on November 12, 1999. She was survived by her four children Dr. Stephen, Richard
Dick Versace
Dick Versace is a former basketball coach and National Basketball Association executive. He's also the first person of Puerto Rican descent to have coached an NBA team.-Early years:...
(former coach of the Indiana Pacers
Indiana Pacers
The Indiana Pacers are a professional basketball team based in Indianapolis, Indiana. They are members of the Central Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Basketball Association...
), Michael and Trilby Versace
Postscript
On July 8, 2002, President George W. BushGeorge W. Bush
George Walker Bush is an American politician who served as the 43rd President of the United States, from 2001 to 2009. Before that, he was the 46th Governor of Texas, having served from 1995 to 2000....
presented Marie Teresa Ríos Versace's surviving children with the Medal of Honor which was posthumously awarded to Captain Humbert Roque Versace.
See also
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature