Obituary: Marie V. Theurich, ‘The Queen of Bling’ who ran the Miss Fresno Pageant for 16 years
Marie V. Theurich spent 16 years trying to have a Miss Fresno County crowned Miss California. She didn’t succeed, but not for lack of trying.
As executive director of the local pageant – she also took in the Miss Clovis Pageant – Theurich was known for having a program thicker than the state pageant and constantly recruiting contestants that reflected the county’s diversity.
But, “The Real Estate Lady” was more than crowns, evening wear and slick productions. She loved to promote patriotism, community service and a work ethic through the pageant.
Theurich, 86, died Feb. 23. Services are pending.
Valerie Salcedo, Miss Fresno County 2011, remembers the first time she called Theurich.
“I called her asking about the pageant,” said Salcedo, who has remained friends with Theurich since then. “The first thing she said was, ‘Do you have a talent?’
“I said I could sing.”
A month later at rehearsals, Salcedo was singing when Theurich approached her and said, “Oh, you weren’t lying.”
“She was blunt,” said Salcedo, who visited Theurich every day during the pandemic to remodel her closet and help in other ways.
But Salcedo wasn’t the only pageant contestant to strike a friendship with Theurich.
“She never let any of her Miss Fresnos leave without any of her jewelry,” said Salcedo. “She would say, ‘Here, put these earrings on, they’re bigger than your earrings; or, add this necklace because your neck looks bare.’”
Salcedo also benefited from having the same shoe size. “Half of my shoe collection came from her,” she said.
Theurich, said Salcedo, “was very bold with her outfits, and bold with her personality.”
“She taught us to live life to the fullest, and don’t waste a single moment.”
Fresno store owner Alma Rosa Wolverton was a 2006 Miss Clovis candidate.
“Marie was passionate about pageantry and she always kept tabs on ‘her girls,’” Wolverton wrote on Facebook. “I will miss her frequent pop-ins at the store to check in on me and update me with her life.
“She was an icon in this community and will be missed.”
“Her spirit was more brilliant than her bling”
Susan Sullivan, a 34-year pageant volunteer and director, recalls walking into a Guarantee Real Estate office in Fresno 16 years ago.
“Do I know you?” asked Sullivan, who is also a real estate agent.
“No, unless you have a kid in the Miss California,” came the reply. “I go to Miss California every year.”
Sullivan then mentioned that there was an opening for the director of Miss Fresno.
“At the top of her lungs, she said, ‘I am the Miss Fresno Pageant director!,” said Sullivan. “She has made a huge impact.
“Her spirit was more brilliant than her bling.”
Theurich was also known as The Queen of Bling for her fashion accessory. She also loved to travel.
The pandemic ruined what was to be a three-month worldwide trip. Instead, the cruise was cut to 18 days when the ship sailed from Fort Lauderdale through the Panama Canal and to Los Angeles.
“She was a beautiful lady”
Col. George Stewart Roller was on that cruise with Theurich. The two were companions. Roller, 83, once proposed to her but Theurich said, “I like being the girlfriend, you treat me better.”
Roller, who spent 30 years with the U.S. Marine Corps and Navy, is still active with the California State Military Reserve.
He met Theurich during a blind date and was smitten. “I had a lot of blind dates with ladies. When I met her, that all stopped,” he said.
“I was her biggest fan.”
Theurich attended San Jose High School, but only completed 10th grade because he got pregnant.
She was a bank vice president for 30 years, then sold real estate in Fresno for 30 years. In her real estate page, Theurich noted that referrals said her “enthusiasm and positive attitude make the home buying or selling process a pleasure, not a chore.”
Theurich was married for 47 years to Les Theurich, who died in 2011.
She is survived by two daughters and four grandchildren.
