Candelaria Perez

Candelaria Perez, age 91, went to be with our Lord Jesus Christ on Saturday, February 10, 2024 in El Paso, Texas.  Candelaria, lovingly known as “Cane”, “Candy”, “Cande” and even “Connie” by many of her family and friends, was born in El Paso, Texas and was a graduate of Jesus and Mary Academy in El Paso. She spent 19 years as an Air Force wife living in Florida, Kansas, Arizona, and Spain, before returning to El Paso in 1976, upon the retirement of her husband, Oscar, from the United States Air Force.  Candelaria was a caring and loving wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend.  Her daily demonstration of her Catholic faith and unending love for her family was witnessed by all who knew her. Candelaria spent her life devoted to taking care of her family and volunteered with numerous organizations.  She loved to travel and share her adventures with everyone, especially about Spain.  She was the life of every gathering, loved to dance and had a beautiful smile -- her laughter was infectious, and everyone loved to be in her presence. She is now dancing in heaven with all our family members who came to escort her through the gates of heaven, especially her daughter, Virginia.

The matriarch and heart of her large family, Candelaria is survived by her husband of 66 years, Oscar A. Perez, and six loving children, Irma Lopez (Hector), Norma Shrope, Oscar A Perez Jr. (Karen), Gloria Lenis (Michael), Angelina Perez and Rebecca Perez  Her loving memory will be cherished by her 12 grandchildren, Joe (McKinnley), Paul (Leslie), Erika, Cody (Leslie), Jessica, Tony, Daniel, Frank (Morgan), Amanda (Richard), Hailey, Candice (Darcy) and Victoria; and her 12 great grandchildren; Joseph, Jarone, Jaleena, Gabriel, Layla, Elysia, Venecia, Jax, Theodore, McKenna, Olivia and Christian.  She is also survived by her three sisters Manuela Medrano, Juanita Rodriguez and Maria de Jesus Sanchez of El Paso, Texas. She will also be remembered lovingly by numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, godchildren, and many friends. She is preceded in death by her daughter, Virginia Perez, three brothers and their wives, Jose A. “Joe” & Beatrice Hernandez, Jose S. “Nano” & Maria Isabela “Chavela” Hernandez, Francisco “Pancho” & Maria del Refugio “Cookie” Hernandez, and her sister, Magdalena & Ricardo “Calo” Rivera and her parents, Severiano and Josefina Hernandez.

The visitation will be held on Monday, February 26th at Sunset Funeral Home, 4631 Hondo Pass, in El Paso, TX from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM with the Rosary at 6:00 PM.  A Catholic mass will be celebrated at 12:00 noon on Tuesday, February 27th at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church.  Internment at 1:30 PM at Fort Bliss National Cemetery.   Reception to follow. 

In lieu of flowers, please make a donation to:  Association of the Miraculous Medal, 1811 West Saint Joseph Street, Perryville, MO 63775