Rosa Maria Gomez

* Maria Rosa Gomez 94, a long time resident of Brownsville, Texas, our dearest and very much loved mother, grandmother, great- grandmother peacefully passed away on Friday, January 12, 2018 in Austin, Texas. Born in Tampico, Mexico to parents Aurelio Carlos Valenzuela and Margarita Amador de Valenzuela on October 12, 1923 and one of 10 siblings. Preceded in death were her parents; her husband of 57 years, Alejandro Gomez Salinas Meade; her twin sons Alejandro, Jr. and Carlos, who most recently died Thursday, January 11, 2018. Preceded in death also were three brothers: Victor, Carlos and Enrique Valenzuela; and six sisters: Anita and Margarita Valenzuela, Flor Salazar, Yolanda Fernandez and Lucy Iruzubieta, all from various cities in Mexico. She is survived by her daughters: Rose Marie Gomez Meade (Bob) Aleman; Dolores (Jose Oscar) Montemayor; Leticia (Carl) Eads; Patricia (Mike) Reilly; Linda (Alfonso) Ramirez; and Hilda (Ricardo) Castillo. Two sisters, Carmina Valenzuela de Garcia and Josefina Valenzuela de Santiago; two sisters-in-laws: Maria de Lourdes Valadez de Valenzuela of Matamoros and Leya Valenzuela of Salinas California. In addition, survived by 24 grandchildren and 27 great grandchildren whom she had a special bond with and who in turn have beautiful memories of her love and affection. In June 11, 1944, married Alejandro and in 1951 moved to Brownsville, Texas where our father was closer to Mexican farmers introducing them to modern farming and irrigation systems. While Alejandro was the bread winner, Rosa was definitely the master of the household making sure each one of the children had all the right values in place, family, church and our Catholic faith as a strong base of our upbringing. Rosa loved our Lord, Our Lady of Guadalupe and all the different saints putting her daily trust in them while raising a family. Balancing family and love of her faith she volunteered throughout her life to the following organizations and ministries in the church as follows: Guadalupanas from our Lady of Guadalupe Church; Joined Catholic Daughters of America Chapter # 1988 and where she was awarded a lifetime membership. As a member of St. Mary's Catholic Church, she taught CCD; joined St. Mary Mother of the Church Altar and Rosary Society and worked on different fundraisers. She was invited to join the Associate of the Incarnate Word, and deadly loved sisters from that community. Her energy was endless, and if not committed to any church or organization function, she traveled to each children's home, attended many graduations, weddings, various sacramental events and traveled to Europe and Germany. While in their European trip led by Bishop Pena, emeritus, at Rome, she was in a perfect spot waiting to see Pope JohnPaul II who spotted Rosa and came over to greet her, placing his hands over her head giving her his blessing with our Dad next to her. That was her assurance she was headed to heaven. Pallbearers will be: Sons-in-law: Carl Eads, Mike Reilly, Ricardo Castillo, Alfonso Ramirez; Grandsons Omar Overturf and Oscar Montemayor. Honorary Pall bearers: Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr; Jose Oscar Montemayor; Bob Aleman; Alex Gomez Meade II, Marc Alexander Reilly, Michael Patrick Reilly, Jr., Kevin Castillo. Visitation hours for family and friends will be Monday, January 15, 2018 at Buena Vista Funeral home on 125 McDavitt Blvd, Brownsville, TX from 4 to 6 pm with at Holy rosary of Resurrection to follow at 7p.m. Mass of resurrection will be on Tuesday at 10 am at St. Mary's Catholic Church on 1914 Barnard Rd., Brownsville, TX. 78520. All funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Del Angel - Buena Vista funeral home. Family and friends are invited to view Rosa Maria Gomez and sign the guestbook and send condolences to the Gomez family at www.funerariasdelangel.com. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made in memory of Rosa Gomez to the Retirement Fund of the Sisters of the Incarnate Word, 5201 Lipes Blvd, Corpus Christi, TX 78413 http://www.iwbscc.org or to any Catholic charity of your choice. The family would like to express our sincerest gratitude to all the medical professionals who cared for our mother and especially a heartfelt warm thank you to the Healthsense Hospice of Austin.