CARIDAD "LA BEBE" GARZA

CARIDAD "LA BEBE" GARZA
EDINBURG - Caridad "La Bebe" Garza, 86, entered eternal rest on Tuesday, November 3, 2009 at her residence in Edinburg with her loving family at her bedside. She was born August 28, 1923 to Alberto Esquivel and Maria Lasalde in Falfurrias, Texas.
Caridad was educated by the Urseline Sisters at Sacred Heart Catholic School in Falfurrias and graduated from Falfurrias High School in 1944. She was a fun loving young girl who enjoyed playing practical jokes on her teachers and classmates. She recalled her high school days as some of the best days of her life and enjoyed attending her high school reunions.
As a young woman, Caridad gave CCD classes and worked at a local Trading Post. She also worked for the Amado Trad Family Dry Goods Store in Falfurrias, Texas. During WWII the store would redeem the ration vouchers. She was instrumental in aiding her Padrino Amado in processing the vouchers. These vouchers insured that our troops overseas had enough supplies for the war effort.
It was while visiting her sister in Edinburg that Caridad met Lazaro Ledesma Garza. Caridad and Lazaro began a courtship. They were married on August 5, 1946 at Sacred Heart Church in Falfurrias. The Garza's made their home in Edinburg and became members of Sacred Heart Catholic Church. All of their children were educated at Sacred Heart School where she became President of the Guadalupanas for one term and remained a member thereafter. She also served as a member on the Parish Council.
Early in married life, she was known for helping her non-English speaking neighbors with all sorts of formularies and transactions. At the time, Spanish was not spoken in most offices and paper work was only printed in English.
Caridad was a member of the Democratic Party. She first voted in the 1948 general election. Before the Voting Rights Act of 1965, a three dollar tax fee was imposed at the voting booth and Caridad recalled that some people could not afford to vote.
She was an elections worker for the Hidalgo County District Clerk's Office and substituted at Sacred Heart Catholic School during the early 1960's. Since there was no one at home to look after her youngest son; Rudy, he would hide under her desk while she worked.
For over fifty years, Caridad sold Stanley Home Products and AIM products out of her home on East Schunior Street.
Lazaro and Caridad provided a loving and stable home for their six children. The Garza children were taught the value of an education and hard work. The Garza's instilled in their family responsibility and kindness. Lazaro was a dedicated employee of Tide Products Inc., of Edinburg for thirty one years. The Garza's enjoyed going out dancing and were frequently invited to weddings and quinceaneras. She was blessed with 37 years of marriage before the untimely death of Lazaro on October 1, 1983.
She is preceded in death by her husband, her parents, brothers; Benito Esquivel, Alberto "Beto" Esquivel, Rodolfo "Rudy" Esquivel, Antonio "Tono" Esquivel, sisters; Enriqueta Esquivel, Patricia Esquivel and Margarita Esquivel.
Left to cherish her memory is her sons; Lazaro E. Garza Jr., Leonel E. (Delia) Garza, Martin E. (Esther) Garza, Rudy E. Garza and Rudy Zavala, whom she loved as a son, daughters; Bertha (Pedro) Rangel and Norma de Alejandro, grandchildren, all from Edinburg; Jerry Rangel, Barney (Cathy) Rangel, Rebecca Jean Mendez, Francisco Javier de Alejandro, Genie de Alejandro and Norma Guzman, great-grandchildren; Tristan Mendez, Zack Mendez, Chrystal Rangel, Deborah Rangel, Javier de Alejandro, Anthony Sanchez and Boston Ray Rangel, sisters; Maria del Socorro Esquivel Flores of Houston, Raquel Esquivel Thompson of Edinburg and Genoveva Esquivel (Bill) Page of Onalaska, Texas, brother; Arcenio (Estela) Esquivel of San Antonio, and numerous cousins, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law.
The Garza, Esquivel, Rangel, de Alejandro and Mendez families would like to extend heartfelt gratitude to the following: Donna Elane Cooper-Dockery MD and staff, Robert Genovese MD and Staff, Edinburg Regional Medical Center, Beyamar Hospice Services Inc., The Edinburg Consolidated Independent School District Special Education Department, the faculty, staff and students of Johnny G. Economedes High School, National Car Rental, H.E.B. Food Stores (North 10th & Trenton), Garza Driving School, Sacred Heart Catholic Church- Edinburg, the Basilica of Our Lady of San Juan, Holy Family Catholic Church-Edinburg, St Joseph Catholic Church- Edinburg, St. Joseph the Worker Catholic Church- McAllen and the Law Office of Stewart & Mann PC. They have provided comfort and support during this extremely difficult time.
Caridad will be missed not only by her family, but by all those whose lives she touched. Her love and generosity will never be forgotten. All who knew her are truly blessed and heartbroken by her departure.
Family will receive friends, today, November 5, 2009 from 3:00 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 in Edinburg. Christian mass will be held on Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m. at Sacred Heart Catholic Church in Edinburg. Christian burial will follow to Hillcrest Memorial Park in Edinburg. Funeral services have been entrusted to Johnny Garcia, Funeral Director of Ceballos-Diaz Funeral Home in Edinburg.
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