Berta Cavazos Cantu

Berta Cavazos
Cantu
HARLINGEN, TX. - The seventh and only remaining child of Bernardo Cavazos and Enedina Trevino Cavazos succumbed on July 24, 2009 in Harlingen, Tx.A descendant of Spanish and Mexican land grant families, she was a (5 times) great-granddaughter to Juan Jose de Hinojosa and a great- granddaughter to Hinojosa's grandson, Lino Cavazos. Berta was born on a 1,500 acre tract of land known as Anaquitas Ranch (Mercedes, TX) and owned by her paternal grandfather, Jose Domiciano Cavazos. She was a direct descendant to Capt. Juan Cavazos who brought the Cavazos name to the new world.
Due to the untimely death of her mother, Berta and her siblings made their home with their maternal maiden aunts, Maria And Luisa Trevino and their beloved Tia Cata in San Benito, TX on the corner of Crockett and Powers St. Berta often recalled their train trips from San Benito to Mercedes to visit with their father and paternal grandmother, Dorotea Zapata Cavazos, on the Anaquitas Ranch. Among her fondest memories was the arrival of the Sisters of the Sacred Heart of Jesus from San Antonio, TX who came to establish the parroquial school of St. Benedict's which she attended.
In 1924, her father built a home and store for his children on Villarreal St. in La Feria, TX. The Cavazos family operated Cavazos Mercantile on Villarreal St. until their marriages.
She married Domingo R. Cantu on April 6, 1931 in the then newly built St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church where she was a member from 1924 to the time of her passing. She was also a member of the St. Monica Society and the Schoenstatt Movement.
She owned and operated Cantu Dry Goods Store on Main St. in La Feria from 1953 to 1967. She subsequently operated with her husband Cantu Grocery and Bus Station until her early 90's and drove her car until her mid 90's. She was very proud to have obtained her certificate of high school equivalency at the age of 70. She enjoyed traveling and often recalled her visit to Washington, D.C. She treasured the many opportunities she had to attend family celebrations. She felt most blessed to have attended all graduations and celebrations to date of her children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren form high school, college, graduate school, and law school. A loving and inspiring matriarch to her family, she will be greatly missed.
In addition to her parents, she is preceded in death by her husband of 45 years, Domingo R. Cantu, her beloved granddaughter, Belinda Ana Villarreal Nelson, and her six siblings: Domiciano Cavazos, Angelita C. Escobedo, Bernardo Cavazos, Maria C. Lopez, Ramon Cavazos, and Joaquin Cavazos. Also preceding her are two sons-in-law, Manrique de la Garza and Gilberto Elizondo.
She is survived by her five children: Minerva de la Garza (+ Manrique) of San Antonio, TX.; Maria Luisa Villarreal (Rafael) of Grapevine, TX.; Roberto Cantu (Maria Luisa) of McAllen, TX.; Carlos Cantu (Elizabeth) of La Feria, TX.; and Estella Elizondo (+ Gilberto) of Harlingen, TX. Also missing her are her 18 grandchildren, 29 great-grandchildren, and 7 great-great-grandchildren.
Honored to serve as her pallbearers are her seven grandsons: Manrique de la Garza, Jr., Orlando de la Garza, Rafael Javier Villarreal, Roberto Cantu, Jr., Carlos Omar Cantu, Jose Carlos Cantu, and Gilberto Elizondo, Jr.The following arrangements have been made: Rudy Garza Palm Funeral Home in La Feria, TX is in charge of arrangements.
Viewing will be held at Rudy Garza Palm Funeral Home, 209 S. Main St. in La Feria from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM on Sunday, July 26th.
The Holy Rosary will be offered on Sunday, July 26th at 7:00 PM at St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 500 S. Canal St. in La Feria.
The funeral procession will depart from the Rudy Garza Palm Funeral Home in La Feria at 9:30 AM and will proceed to St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria for a 10:00 AM Mass of Christian Burial which will be celebrated by Fr. Gabriel Ezeh, pastor of St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church.
Burial will take place at Restlawn Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorials in her name may be made to any of the following: Building Fund, St. Francis Xavier Catholic Church, P.O. Box 116, La Feria, TX. 78559; Schoenstatt Sisters of Mary, c/o Sr. M. Daniela Rensing, Schoenstatt Center, 134 Front St., Rockport, TX. 78382-7800; or Schoenstatt Fathers, c/o Fr. Hector Vega, 4343 Gaines St. Corpus Christi, Tx 78412.
The family is very grateful to Maria De Jesus Mosqueda from Santa Rosa, TX who lovingly accompanied her during the last two and one half years and to the staff at Solara Rehabilitation Hospital in Harlingen for the excellent care they administered to her during her last days.
Sign the guestbook at: http://legacy.com/ValleyStar/Obituaries.asp.
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