Laura Ann "Laura" Cantu

1976 - 2025

Austin - Our beloved Laura Ann Cantu, age 48, resident of Austin, Texas, was called home to our Heavenly Father on Wednesday, August 13, 2025.

She is survived by her husband, Jon Michael Cantu; her parents, Alejandro Moreno Jr. and Carmen M. Moreno; her brother Luis A. Moreno (Veronica); her niece and nephews, Olivia Moreno, Morgan Cantu and Seth Isaac Cantu; her father and mother-in-law, Adolfo T. Cantu and Rose Linda Cantu; and brother-in-law, Isaac Cantu (Gloria); as well as many other loving family and friends.

Laura Ann Moreno was born on November 2, 1976 in McAllen, Texas. She grew up in Edinburg, Texas, attending St. Joseph Parochial School for six years and graduating from Edinburg North High School in 1995. She attended the University of Texas in Austin and later Pan American University. In 1999 she married her high school sweetheart, Jon Michael Cantu. She never had children but was close to her cousins and her niece and nephews.

In 2000, Laura became a youth minister at Sacred Heart Church. She continued in religious work for several years. In 2004, Laura and her husband attended Youth Arise North America, a Catholic training program based in Phoenix Arizona. During a two-year period, they studied and then evangelized youth in the western US and in Ireland and Germany, including attendance at a mass with Pope Benedict. She returned to Texas and moved to Austin where she found employment. Later Laura started producing craft products which continued until her final illness.

Laura had a strong interest in reading, enjoyed singing and listening to music and sought to help others when she could. She was musically talented and played piano, guitar, saxophone and clarinet. She had a quick mind and a sharp wit. She was also an avid fan of Star Wars and Harry Potter characters. She showed her toughness when she was nine years old as the only female in her soccer team and she was an early altar girl at St Joseph Church in Edinburg .

This year, Laura's strength was challenged by a series of health problems; she endured two months in the hospital and ended her life at Christopher House of Hospice Austin. The family deeply appreciates the wonderful care she received at St. David's South Hospital and with Hospice Austin.

Visitation will be held on Thursday, August 21st from 5 pm to 9 pm at The Mission Serenity Funeral Home at 6204 South First Street in Austin. Rosary will be said at 7 pm. Funeral Mass will be on Friday, August 22nd at 10 am at St. Ignatius Catholic Church at 126 W. Oltorf St. in Austin. Burial will be at Onion Creek Memorial Park cemetery. Pallbearers will be Jayce Bazan, Seth Cantu, Ernest Champion, Eric Garza, Nathan Garza, Ruben Gonzalez, Eddie Hinojosa, Gabriel Moreno, and Alexander Ramirez, ,. Honorary pallbearers are David Barrera, Morgan Cantu, Drew Garza, Marc Garza. Maria Helen Garza, Arturo Gonzalez and Eddie Hinojosa

The family requests that no flowers be sent as Laura was allergic to them.