HARLINGEN ,TX.—Victoria M. Garza

Passed away on January 3, 2010 at her home in the care of her loving family. She had just completed her 97th birthday on December 23rd. She was born at the Los Asadores ranch (just south of present day Donna, Texas) in 1912 to Rio Grande Valley pioneers Daniel Munoz and Maria Eloisa Handy Munoz.

She is preceded in death by her loving husband Amadeo Garza, parents, 3 sisters; Anita M Gonzalez, Juanita M. Dickson and Sister Eloisa Munoz Order of Incarnate Word and Blessed Sacrament.

Victoria lived at the Los Asadores ranch until the age of 6 where her family then moved to Donna, attending Catholic school there. After a move to Raymondville, her family then settled in McAllen, where she graduated from McAllen High in 1932 . She eventually had 5 daughters and 3 sons who survive her, they are: Mary G. (Rodrigo) Reyna of Weslaco, Amadeo Louis (Edeltraud) Garza of Germany, Robert A. (Susie) Garza of Los Alamos, NM, Elizabeth A. Garza of Harlingen, Victoria E. (Guillermo) Garza of Kingsville, Joe E. (Diana) Garza of Harlingen, Judith E. (Bob) Hinojosa of McAllen and Veronica J. (Robert) Perez of San Antonio; 21 grandchildren, and 32 great-grandchildren.

After living in McAllen, Victoria and Amadeo settled in Harlingen, Texas where she lived for 67 years.

Victoria and her husband were members of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church of Harlingen, where they attended mass and participated in other church activities faithfully for many years. She lived the life of a Christian professing her Catholic faith by serving others and by loving God.

Throughout the years in Harlingen, she also participated in the local P.T.A and the Cardinal Band Boosters in support of her children. She and her husband participated in the Mr. & Mrs. Club of Harlingen. She also actively assisted in the success of the family business, run her husband under the name “Garza Appliance” since the 1960’s. It remains under family ownership and under the same name.

Victoria will mostly be remembered for her tireless devotion and dedication to her husband, Amadeo, her children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. In her earlier years, she traveled often to visit her many children as they branched out from the Valley.

In her later years, her residence was known as “Grand Central Station” where she could be counted on for her warm hospitality and welcoming nature to all. Her word always delivered and she spoke sincerely and with the utmost of candor. She was witty, charming, and clever through her last days. She will truly be missed.

The family wishes to thank many memorable care givers who provided a wonderful quality of life in her later years, especially her daughter Elizabeth and other sons and daughters who participated in her care, some traveling from afar regularly to be at her side.

Visitation will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Tuesday, January 5, 2010 at Rudy Garza Funeral with a rosary will beginning at 7:00 p.m. Visitation will continue through 9:00 p.m.

Funeral mass will be at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Harlingen, Texas at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday, January 6. Burial will follow at El Granjeno Cemetery in Granjeno, Texas located on South F.M. 494 (Shary Rd.) across from city hall, approximately 5 miles from Expressway 83.

Pallbearers will be her sons: Amadeo L. Garza, Jr., Robert A. Garza, Joe E. Garza and sons-in-law: Rodrigo Reyna, Bob Hinojosa, Robert Perez and honorary pallbearers, Willie Garza.

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