Irma Cardenas

Irma Cardenas took her last breath Tuesday, August 20, 2024, at her home in Edinburg, Texas, at the age of 86. She was born on a Thursday, October 21, 1937 to Macario and Carmen Rodriguez at Tacubaya Ranch in Brooks County. Carmen and Macario raised Irma and her six siblings on the ranch, where they taught them how to work hard and care for each other. They also sent them to school in Encino and then Falfurrias High School. 

Irma is preceded in death by her husband; Raul Cardenas, her parents, her oldest brother Macario (Rita) and younger brother Ruben. She is survived by her brother Homero (Irma) and sisters Elma (Margarito†) Hernandez, Imelda (Raul†) Villarreal, and Yolanda (Frank) Champion. She is also survived by her children Yvette (John) Iannelli, Yvonne (Francisco) Guajardo, Veronica (Kevin) Adams, Raul (Lisa) Cardenas and Laura (Mario) Cardenas-Muñoz. 

Irma leaves 13 grandchildren: Gianna (Hamed) Mohamed, Francesca Iannelli, Juan Daniel Guajardo, Andrea (Rob) Guajardo-Vucinic, Macario Guajardo, Amanda Garza, Anissa Garza, Judith Garza, Noel Lopez, Jacob Lopez, Brandon Cardenas, Bryan Cardenas, Brooke Cardenas and two great-grandchildren: Katherine Guajardo and Yasin Mohamed. 

Irma was an incredible woman. She was smart, beautiful and completely selfless. She lived for her kids, grandkids and family. 

She graduated as class valedictorian from Encino Jr. High and was a top student at Falfurrias High School. When she graduated from high school, the owner of the ranch offered Irma a full scholarship to the University of Texas, but she turned it down. “It was a very generous offer but I didn’t want Daddy to feel indebted,” she recalled. 

Irma attended the Durham School of Business in Corpus Christi, studied bookkeeping, and became a bookkeeper at the Echo Hotel in Edinburg for nearly fifty years. But she never really retired. Even during the past year, she worked as the business manager of Dancentre of Edinburg, which she founded with her two eldest daughters. She did that for 20 years, without ever accepting a paycheck. She was also the full-time bookkeeper for Ballet Nepantla, a professional company based in New York City founded by one of her granddaughters. 

Irma was a remarkable role model, especially for her daughters, granddaughters, and great-granddaughter. Her grandchildren describe her as "iconic," "timeless," "strong-willed" and "fierce."

She will be missed, but she leaves a legacy of generosity, hard work, and love for family. 

The Cardenas Family will receive friends on Thursday, August 22, 2024 from 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM with a rosary to be prayed at 6:00 PM in the Chapel of Peace, Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, 322 East Kuhn Street, Edinburg, Texas. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated by Fr. Samuel Arizpe on Saturday, August 24, at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 205 Jefferson Ave, Edinburg, TX Faysville, just north of Edinburg.). Interment of her ashes will follow at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery, 1701 East Richardson Road, Edinburg, Texas. Funeral services have been entrusted to Johnny Garcia Funeral Director/Manager and staff at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home of Edinburg.