MERCEDES — Amada (San Juanita) Pequeno

Amada (San Juanita) Pequeno. Every morning for the past 82 years, Amada (San Juanita) Pequeno, awoke from her slumber, excited to see where the day’s events would lead her.

Whether it was going to work, visiting with longtime friends, running errands around town, taking part in various organizations, dancing the night away or spending time with her family, everyday was an adventure. As the years went by, the day’s events became fewer, but San Juanita never lost that excitement or sense of adventure.

Early Saturday Morning, October 20, 2007, our heavenly father called for his daughter San Juanita, to begin a new adventure and she excitedly answered his call.

San Juanita was born in Mercedes on May 6, 1925, to Geronimo Quintanilla and Juanita Aguilar. She was raised with her cousin, the late Leonor Lopez. In September of 1947, San Juanita met her future husband, Horacio Pequeno Sr. at a dance at La Plazita in Weslaco.

San Juanita was married to the love of her life, Horacio Pequeno Sr., for 59 years. She is survived by her husband Horacio Pequeno Sr., her five children; Maria Elia Pequeno, Anita Pequeno, Diana P. Gomez and husband Jose, Olga P. Avila and husband Daniel, Horacio Pequeno Jr. and wife Alma, five grandchildren; Daniel Eduardo and Gilbert Horacio Avila, Josiah Horacio Gomez, Alyssa Mariah and Horacio Geronimo Pequeno Jr., and two sister in laws America Guevara and Maria Luisa Pequeno. San Juanita is predeceased by her parents Geronimo Quintanilla and Juanita Aguilar, her beloved cousin; Leonor Lopez, her Father and Mother in law; Ramon and Basilisa Pequeno, her brothers in law; Eduardo and Dr. Tito Pequeno and her sister in law Dolores Rodriguez. During her married life she was a loving, caring and supportive wife to her husband and mother to her five children. She was the “World’s Best Grandma”, and enjoyed spending time with her five grandchildren. One of San Juanita’s greatest passions in life was dancing. Whether she was dancing the night away with her husband Horacio, at the Mercedes Knights of Columbus Hall, or dancing in the kitchen with her grandson Daniel, dancing always brought an instant smile to her face. San Juanita also enjoyed mingling and being among the people. She loved meeting new people and forming instant friendships.

A life long Roman Catholic, San Juanita was a member of Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mercedes. She was a member of the Our Lady of Mercy Parish Board, Knights of Columbus Ladies Auxiliary and Woodmen of the World Organization. She served as Chairwoman for the March of Dimes and as her children attended school, she enjoyed serving on the PTA.

San Juanita worked with the Hidalgo County Clinic as a Nurse’s Aide for 10 years. She later worked as a Community Liaison for the Mercedes Independent School District. After 10 years of faithful service to the Mercedes ISD, San Juanita retired and spent her time gardening, tending to her rosebushes and spending time with her family and friends.

The Pequeno, Avila, Gomez and Quintanilla families would like to thank; Dr. Roger Heridia, Dr. Dario Narro, the Texas Visiting Nurse Services and San Juanita’s caretakers; Mrs. Maria Cruz De Leon, Mrs. Maria Elena Casares and Ms. Florinda Alvarez.

Visitation will be from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m., Monday, October 22, 2007 at Garcia and Trevino Funeral Home. A Holy Rosary will be recited at 7 p.m., Monday, October 22, 2007.

Celebration of a Funeral Mass will be held at 10 a.m. on Tuesday, October 23, 2007 at Our Lady of Mercy Catholic Church in Mercedes. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria. Accepting the honor of pallbearers are Horacio Pequeno Jr., Daniel Avila Jr., Jose Gomez, Daniel Avila III, Gilbert Avila and Dr. Lino Guevara. Honorary pallbearers will be Josiah Gomez and Horacio (Little H) Pequeno.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes.

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