Berta Garza Peña

Berta Garza Peña, 86, passed peacefully into eternal life on July 13, 2020.  A San Benito native, Berta was born September 29, 1933 to the late Francisco S. and Manuela Cantu Garza.

At the age of twelve, Berta learned to make her famous “Pan de Polvo”.  At fifteen years of age, she became a professional seamstress and went on to make many, many beautiful wedding dresses.

Berta worked as a substitute teacher with San Benito CISD and substituted at Fred Booth Elementary.  During election season, she assisted elections judge at the voting polls. After the devastating flood of April1991, Berta worked as an interpreter for the disaster arbitrators in the San Benito area.

She was a lifetime member and president of the St. Theresa Catholic Church Altar Society. Berta was involved in the ministry of purifying altar linens and sewing the priests’ vestments at St. Theresa Catholic Church.

For over twenty years, Berta served as president of the “Pink Ladies” at Dolly Vinsant Hospital.  She was an avid supporter of the San Benito High School Band Booster Club during her girls’ band events.  Berta loved to cook and made the most delicious tamales.  She was proud of being able to spell “CZECHOSLOVAKIA” for her husband.  She was also a faithful fan of the San Antonio Spurs and the Dallas Cowboys.

Berta’s husband, Raul Peña, her parents Francisco S. and Manuela C. Garza, and her siblings Aurora G. Porter, Adan Garza, and Guillermo Garza preceded her in death.

Left to treasure Berta’s memory and legacy are her daughters, Patricia “Pat” (Juan) Fields and Priscilla “Prissy” (Jose Luis) Casanova; granddaughter, Savannah (Rosa) Coreas; grandsons, Marco Antonio Villarreal, Jr. and Jose David (Ana) Casanova; great-granddaughter, Olivia Casanova; sisters, Esmeralda G. Martinez, Maria G. Vallejo, and Ofelia G. Markovich; and several nieces and nephews.

Berta’s family will receive friends and relatives on Sunday, July 19, 2020 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at San Benito Funeral Home. The Rite of Committal will take place at Mont Meta Memorial Park on Monday, July 20, 2020 at 9:00 a.m., after which Berta will be laid to rest.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Marco Antonio Villarreal, Jr., José David Casanova, Juan Fields, and Vic Lopez.  Savannah Coreas will serve as an honorary pallbearer.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, TX. 956.291.4644 www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com.

In accordance with Cameron County requirements, all guests must wear a facial covering and practice social distancing while visiting San Benito Funeral Home.