Rita F. Garza

Rita F. Garza was called by the Lord on February 12, 2015, at the age of 92 at her residence surrounded by her family.  Rita was one of thirteen children born to Marcos and Marcela Flores on May 22, 1922.  She grew up in Edinburg, Texas and after marrying her soul mate, Reyes Garza, moved to McAllen, Texas.  Rita was a deeply spiritual person who helped and comforted many through the power of prayer.  She was a member of Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church in McAllen and later of Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg.   Rita was civic-oriented and a member of the Woodmen of the World Fraternal Lodge 2619 – Campo Zaragoza in which she served in various leadership roles. She was a deeply caring individual who always tried to help others.  Rita was passionate about life and her family, both immediate and extended, for whom she unselfishly dedicated her life.  She also had a great joy in all things living and through her husband, learned about and fell in love with ranching.  Even in her final years, her favorite past-time were trips to the family’s Santa Rita Ranch in Puerto Rico, Texas where she enjoyed watching the cattle, picking wild flowers and listening to the sounds of the wild life.

Rita was loved by many and will be greatly missed.  She was preceded in death by her husband; parents; brothers, Alfonso, Ernesto, Onofre & Francisco Flores; sisters, Ernestina Balli, Odilia Flores, Elvira Salinas, Hilda Saenz and Orfelina Gutierrez.  Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Rose Lee (Rene) Lucio; grandsons, Rene “RJ” Lucio, Jr. and Ray (Alexandra) Lucio and the joy of her life, her great-granddaughter, Alexa Rae Lucio.  Rita is also survived by her sisters, Ninfa Flores and Elmira Niño; brother, Manuel (Narcissa) Flores; sister-in-law, Delia Gomez and numerous nephews and nieces.

The family would like to give a Special thanks to Dr. Alvaro Giraldo, Hospice Compassionate Care Service, LLC and staff for the special care and dedication bestowed upon our beloved “Wella” who will forever live in our hearts.

Her family will receive friends today, Sunday, February 15, 2015 from 4:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. with a rosary to be prayed at 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel of Peace at Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home, 322 East Kuhn in Edinburg. A Catholic Mass will be held on Monday, February 16, 2015 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Catholic Burial will follow to Valley Memorial Gardens Cemetery, 3605 North Taylor Road in McAllen. Having the distinguished honor to serve as pallbearers will be R.J. Lucio, Ray Lucio, Rodolfo T. Garza, Omar Salinas, Humberto Garza, Sr. and Carlos Gonzalez. Funeral Services have been entrusted to Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.

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