Mercedes Quintanilla

Mercedes Gonzales Quintanilla age 87, of San Antonio, Texas passed away early Sunday morning July 21, 2024. 

Mercedes was born in San Antonio Texas on September 24, 1936, to Nasario & Demetria Fabian Gonzales. She was a loving mother of 9 children, raised 8 additional children (adopted 2), took care of many Grandchildren & Great-Grandchildren, babysat countless children who called her “Grandma or Momo”, and always took special care of the neighborhood disabled & elderly. We were all raised to know Christ; she prayed and blessed us throughout our lives. Her strength and boldness was an inspiration to all. She was the neighborhood seamstress, housekeeper, and was also known for her amazing tortillas and breakfast tacos. She loved collecting Selena Quintanilla memorabilia, elephants and apple cookie jars, and wall decorations which all adorned her home. We grew up listening to Freddy Fender, Hank Williams Sr., and 50’s music (she loved dancing in the kitchen while cooking). This is where we all learned to dance the “Stroll” and the “Twist”. Mom was also known as Mercy or Chelez by her brothers, sisters, and close personal friends. Mom lived on her own and she wanted her independence. She was still able to cook, clean her home, and scheduled her own doctors appointments before she passed away.

 She lived life her way! 

She will always be remembered for her Wisdom, Grace, and her beautiful, loving, compassionate ways.

She was preceded in death by her husband Fernando R. Quintanilla; sons Bobby Taylor, Raymond Taylor, George Cerna, Richard Medelez, & Armando Quintanilla; daughter Yolanda Sandoval; son-in-law Ronnie Salazar; grandson Fernando III Quintanilla; great-grandchildren Miranda R. Barrientos, Chloe Gemma, Gabriel Paredez, & Ronni Esther L. Salazar.

She is survived by sons & daughters Maria Rebecca (James) Flores, Sylvia (Scott) Munn, Cynthia Salazar, Yvonne Sandoval, David Quintanilla, Mark (Aurora) Breig, Patrick Quintanilla, Rita (Abel) Zavala, John (Diane) Quintanilla, Ernest (Irma) Quintanilla & Belinda (George) Segovia; brother Eliseo (Delia) Gonzales; 8 Sisters; 37 grandchildren; 49 great-grandchildren; 7 great-great-grandchildren; as well as numerous nieces, nephews, cousins, and a lifetime of friends. What a beautiful legacy she has left. 

Our world will not be the same without her. We will miss her immensely. 

May the Lord bless you and your families for loving and caring for our mother. 

The family would like to give a special thank you to Belinda Segovia (sister) & Alyssa Segovia (granddaughter) for personally caring for our mother while she was at a therapy facility, the De La Rosa Family & Debra (Caregiver) with Oak Hollow Manor, and Mindy Fuller & Staff with Embrace Hospice, & Puente & Sons Funeral Chapels for being our guiding light through this difficult time.  

In Lieu of flowers, the family would like to ask for donations to be given to our family church - St. Cecilia’s Catholic Church 125 W. Whittier St., San Antonio, Texas 78210 

The family would also like to ask for all to wear something blue or any bright color (if possible) to honor Mercedes during her services. We want services to be a “Celebration of Life”.