“A mother’s love lives on forever.”Concetta Russo Banda, born December 8, 1937, in Laredo, Texas was the heart of our family and the kind of woman whose love could be felt the moment you met her. At 88 years old, Family Matriarch leaves behind a legacy of faith, strength, laughter, and unconditional love that will live on through all of us.
Mom’s greatest joy in life was her family. She lived for cookouts, family parties, and any moment that brought her children and grandchildren together. Her home was always full—of food, of noise, of stories, and most of all, of love. No one ever left her house hungry or feeling unloved. She gave everything she had to everyone she could, and somehow always had more love to give.
She was a woman of deep faith, and she carried that faith quietly but powerfully throughout her life. It shaped the way she loved, forgave, and cared for others. Mom had a gift for making people feel welcome and valued, and she was loved by everyone she met. If you knew her, you felt her warmth.
She loved going to Bingo, and weekend trips to the Casino. She was also a proud Dallas Cowboys fan, cheering on her team with the same passion she brought to everything she loved. But nothing made her prouder than her children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and
great great-grandchildren, who were truly the light of her life.
Concetta is survived by her children: Linda D. Banda; Raul (Tabitha) Banda Sr.; Gerardo (Christina) Banda Sr.; Jaime (Lilly) Banda Sr.; Laura D. Banda; Edwardo D. (Lidia) Banda Sr.;Sandra (Ronald) Manzano; Arlene (Arturo) Banda; Cynthia (Anthony) Favella, and her Best Friend and sister in law Elsa A Russo, along with many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and great-great-grandchildren who will forever carry her love with them.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Ruben D. Banda Sr parents, Cresencia and James Russo Sr.; her siblings, James Russo Jr., Thomas C. Russo, Viola Ramos, Carmen Miranda, Louisa Sanchez, and Letizia Medina; and her sons, Ruben D. Banda Jr., Rene R. Banda, and Rolando R. Banda—whom we know welcomed her with open arms.
My mother was our example of what it means to love fully and selflessly. Though our hearts are broken, we are grateful for the life she lived and the love she gave so freely. She will be deeply missed and forever remembered.
“The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life, and I shall dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
—Psalm 23
Visitation will be held on Thursday, January 15, 2026, from 4:00 PM to 9:00 PM with a 7:00 PM rosary.
Procession will depart Hillcrest on Friday, January 16, 2026, at 10:30 AM for an 11:00 AM Mass at St. Vincent De Paul Catholic Church. Graveside service to follow at Wildflower Memorial Park.
Read More
