Adalia Nora Garcez

In Loving Memory of

Adalia Nora Garcez

June 13, 1946 – August 24, 2025

With heavy hearts, we announce the passing of our beloved mother, Adalia Nora Garcez, who went home to be with the Lord on August 24, 2025 at the age of 79. A woman of quiet strength, unwavering faith, and deep compassion, she leaves behind a legacy defined not only by the family she nurtured but by the many lives she touched through her love, service, and tireless commitment to helping others.

Born in San Antonio, Nora as she was known to everyone, lived a life rooted in faith and guided by grace. She and her devoted husband Santos lived every day with the shared purpose of serving the Lord. Their marriage was a beautiful reflection of God's love-steadfast, sacrificial, and enduring. Together, they built their home on a foundation of prayer, humility, and service, allowing their faith to guide every decision, every challenge, and every joy.

Through every season of life, Nora embodied the quiet strength that comes from deep faith. Life presented its share of trials, but she met each one with courage, hope, and a heart fully trusting in God. Her days were filled with acts of love-seen and unseen. Whether it was providing for her family, supporting a neighbor in need, or lifting up others in prayer, she lived her faith through action.

She was more than the cornerstone of our family-she was a soft-spoken servant leader. Her hands were always working for the good of others, her heart always open to those in need. Her door welcomed many, but it was her spirit-kind, faithful, and strong-that truly made others feel at home.

What made her life remarkable was not just her perseverance, but how she used circumstance and experience she faced to point others toward God's love. She lived to reflect His goodness, offering comfort, guidance, and strength to anyone who needed it. Her compassion was deep, her loyalty unshakable, and her love-like her faith-endless.

She is, preceded in death by her loving husband of over 60 years Santos Garcez, her mother Guadalupe Villa, her father Juan DeLeon, her brothers Oscar DeLeon and Pablo DeLeon, her sisters Lola Caranza, Soila Arredondo, and Alicia DeLeon. She is survived by her sister Yolanda Gonzales, her brother David DeLeon and wife Tomasa, her sons Gilbert Garcez, Joe Garcez, John Garcez and wife Michelle, daughters Virginia Gomez and husband Joe, Irma Garza and husband Anthony. She was grandma to 19 grandchildren and 31 great-grandchildren, 1 great-great-grandchild, and "Tia" to many nephews, nieces and their children who will continue to carry the light she so faithfully shared. Though she is no longer with us, her example continues to shine in the lives she touched, the prayers she prayed, and the faith she passed down.

My Mother, My Angel (by: Kathy J. Parenteau)

Once upon a time an angel held my hand.

She wiped away my tears and helped me understand

Our time on Earth is brief; there are lessons to be learned.

Each precious day God gives us, another page is turned.

Every chapter full of memories, times of joy and tears,

Triumphs and defeats, through every passing year.

She loved us unconditionally, always by our side.

When no one else would listen, in her we could confide.

With gentle words of wisdom, she led us on our way,

Down the paths of righteousness if ever we did stray.

She saw the light in everyone and gave with no regrets,

Always from her heart, let's not forget.

Angels come in many forms; for me it was my mother.

With love I cannot say in words there'll never be another.

Every day I turn the page, in my heart will ever remain

Everything she taught me as I stroll down memory lane.

Thank you God, for giving me the most priceless of all treasures.

Help my Lord, to keep alive her memory here forever.

I pray that I can someday be everything she hoped I would,

That she's smiling down from heaven knowing she did good.

As we gather here today, there's no ending to her story.

Another chapter has begun, full of grace and glory.

God's called her to his heavenly home, part of his great plan.

Although it may be hard, we all must understand.

Faith is what is hoped for, things we cannot see.

Heaven is promised to all of us if only we believe.