Manuela C. Ochoa

1926 - 2022

Progreso/Mercedes - Manuela (Nena) Champion Ochoa, beloved mother and grandmother, went to be with our Lord on April 12, 2022. Nena was a decedent of the Champion, Cano, Munoz families, all pioneer families of the Mid -Valley. Nena was the granddaughter of Pedro Solis Champion and Gumecinda Cano Champion, who owned San Pedro Ranch south of Weslaco.

Nena was born on February 26, 1926, south of Donna at the Munoz Family Homestead to Pedro C .Champion and Josefina Munoz Champion. She was the youngest, her six siblings, and the last survivor the Pedro Solis Champion and Gumecinda Cano Champion pioneer family.

Nena married Francisco (Frank) Ochoa on July 4, 1945. they had three children, Jose Noe, Sulema and Elida.

Nena and Frank owned and operated the family business of "Frank Ochoa Shop" in Progreso, Texas, for many years until Frank's retirement, and raised their family.

Nena was preceded in death by her husband, Frank, in September 28, 2003. She was also preceded by her parents, Pedro and Josefina Champion, and her siblings, Gumecindo Champion, Pedro B. Champion (Petra), Roberto (Santitos), Guadalupe (Pepe) Hernandez, Delia (Clay) Park, and Josefina (Samuel) Longoria. She is survived by her children Jose Noe (Sandra Balli) Ochoa, Sulema Ochoa and Elida Ochoa, her grandchildren, Adam James (Roseanna) Villarreal, Livia Liza (Darrell+) Ochoa McDonald, Pedro E. Ochoa and Joseph Noe (Melissa) Ochoa, and her great-grandchildren, James Gregory Villarreal, Sean Villarreal, Neil Villarreal, Dylan Dwayne McDonald, Dorrianne Elize McDonald, Tanner Eli Ochoa and Peyton Rylee Ochoa. She is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews who loved her so dearly, and by life-long friends and neighbors.

Nena will be remembered as being a hard worker and pillar of the Progreso Community, working hard for its growth, and the growth of the Holy Spirit Church and the Progreso Schools.

Family visitation will be on Tuesday, April 19 , 2022, from 1:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. with a rosary at 6:00 p.m. at Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home in Mercedes, TX. Memorial service will be held on Wednesday at 10:00 a.m. at the funeral home chapel.

Interment will be private at a later date under the direction of Garcia & Trevino Funeral Home of Mercedes, TX.