NOEMI G. "MIMI" CARDENAS

NOEMI "MIMI" G. CARDENAS
EDINBURG - Noemi "Mimi" G. Cardenas entered into Heaven on this glorious Easter Sunday, April 8, 2012, after a six-year long battle with cancer. Born in Laredo, Mimi lived all but her very first year of life in Edinburg.
Mimi is preceded in death by her sister, Luz Maria "Sissy" Gomez, who bravely battled cancer with her but lost the fight just seven months ago. Mimi was Sissy's caregiver even while she herself was being treated at MD Anderson. The nurses at MD Anderson often confused them as they thought the two sisters were twins. Mimi was also preceded in death by her youngest child and only son, Donny Cardenas, who died unexpectedly one year ago. She will also join her parents, Petra and Jose Gomez, and her aunt, Lucille Trevino.
Mimi is survived by her best friend of 45 years, her husband and caregiver, Don Cardenas, who never left her side, her brother, John Gomez, and her sister-in-law, Letty Gomez, of San Antonio and her daughter, Margaret "Myssie" Cardenas-Barajas and son-in-law Xavier Barajas of McAllen and a daughter-in-law, Marissa Lindsey Cardenas. She is also survived by her brother-in-law, Charles Cardenas, and sister-in-law, Norma Cardenas, and two nephews, Charlie (Esper) and Rich (Alicia) Cardenas. Her grandsons, Xzavier Michael Barajas, Nicolas Lindsey Cardenas, Samuel Lindsey Cardenas and Xander Mitchell Barajas, were the sunshine in her life.
Mimi was a graduate of Edinburg High School where she earned the coveted "E" award from Mrs. Harwell and sang in the choir. She went on to Pan American College where she was a charter member of Delta Zeta sorority and majored in Business Administration. It was at Pan Am where she met and married her husband, Don. They were the second couple to marry in the chapel on campus.
Mimi began her work experience at the Citrus Theater and then became the "right hand man" to Mayor Ronald A. Case at Hidalgo County Abstract & Title Company. She found jobs for hundreds of Edinburg citizens when she joined the Texas Workforce Commission, and as hard times hit and companies closed, she helped hundreds with their unemployment claims. After 25 years, she retired for just a split second and joined her husband in the family-owned Real Estate office.
Shortly afterward, the Greater McAllen Association of Realtors named her Realtor of the Year. This award was given to her just after the Edinburg Rotary Club named her Rotarian of the Year because of all the wonderful ways she gave of herself to her community and to the annual fundraising event, Cajunfest. To honor her for all she had done – helping to create the new Edinburg Regional Hospital, raising funds for EHS Band Boosters and her commitment to PTA, being part of the very first Leadership Edinburg class, attending ACTS, her involvement with Catholic Daughters and volunteering anywhere St. Joseph's Church needed her -- she was also named Edinburg's Woman of the Year. She did so much of this while battling cancer, undergoing agonizing treatments and never once complaining about it. In fact, you probably never saw her without a smile.
Mimi lived her life with happiness, hope, love and deep faith.
Mimi's visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary on Thursday, April 12, 2012, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 East Canton in Edinburg.
A celebration of her life and mass will be held on Friday, April 13, 2012, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph's Catholic Church in Edinburg with Msgr. Louis Brum presiding. Burial at Hillcrest Memorial Park will follow. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.
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