Dolores "Lola" Cantu

1951 - 2025

Dolores "Lola" Cantu
10/05/1951 - 01/29/2025
Dolores "Lola" Santos Cantu, a fiercely loved pillar of strength, joy, and unyielding generosity, took her final breath at 7:13 pm on January 29, 2025, surrounded by love and her favorite Motown music playing as her daughters held her hands.
Born on October 5, 1951, in Houston, Texas, Lola lived a full life and was the epitome of perseverance. She came from humble beginnings and displayed a work ethic that left an impression on all who knew her.
Lola's journey was nothing short of fascinating. Throughout her life, she held many roles such as mother, professional, and humanitarian. As a mother, she poured love to her kids. She was known for always having her camera ready at her kids cheer and dance events to snap the perfect photo, the first to volunteer to make mums or dance recital outfits or sporting her "Proud UH Mom" sweater. Lola's professional life took her to many places, some of her proudest moments she shared with her kids came from her time working in the Space Communications office at NASA during the first moon landing and at Texas Instruments contributing to special projects. A lifelong, passionate Democrat, she cherished her time serving as a Hispanic Liaison to Anthony Hall during his final term as the At-Large Position 4 council member on the Houston City Council and was a member of Sheila Jackson Lee's transition team when she initially served on city council. Before her retirement in 2019, Lola found a love for logistics and served decade-long tenures at Baker Hughes and National Oilwell Varco. However, her love for people and the Houston community was ever present in her community service and activism work. From walking alongside César Chávez and Dolores Huerta in the fight for migrant farm workers' rights to building homes with United Way and Habitat for Humanity, her giving spirit knew no bounds. She always told her kids, "I do this because if it were my family, I would want people to find it in their hearts to help us."
Lola brought warmth, love, and laughter to those she touched during her life. A beautiful soul and social butterfly, Lola never turned down a chance to build community; even as she became more dependent on a wheelchair, she continued to join her community line dancing classes with a smile on her face.
Lola will be lovingly remembered and missed by her daughters, granddogs, son, grandkids, and remaining family and friends. They are comforted knowing she will be reunited with her loved ones who passed before her, including her best friend and older brother, Bucky whom she adored. Her reach was as far as it was wide, and she was cherished deeply by many.
To honor Lola's beautiful memory and life, her family asks in lieu of flowers and gifts, "In Memoriam" donations can be made to St. John Vianney Catholic Church. Lola's family and friends will celebrate her life on Saturday, February 8, 2025, with a fun and colorful private affair.