Dolores F. Villarreal

Dolores “Lolita” Villarreal passed away peacefully to be with the Lord on October 5, 2019, at age 96.  Dolores was a lifelong resident of San Benito, Texas and was well known to many for her service and dedication to her family, church, and community.  She was preceded in death by her loving husband Francisco “Paco”, her daughter Teresita Emilia “Terry” Naranjo, her sons Ramon Cañas and Ramiro Cañas, her three sisters: Estefana (Eugenio Cañas†), Mona (Remigio Garza†), Julia (Baltazar Gonzales†) and her loving parents Ramon and Estefana Figueroa.

Dolores was a member of St. Benedict’s Catholic Church and dedicated herself to the church where she volunteered as an altar server and a minister of the cup.  She also gave of her time and energy to many organizations including the San Benito Food Pantry, St. Vincent de Paul, and La Posada Providencia Refugee Home.  Before her retirement, Dolores used her God-given talents in a career as a bookkeeper with Producers Gin and Combes Gin.

In addition to her serving and raising her family, Dolores loved dressing up, putting on her best red lipstick, and going to dances at the Knights of Columbus Hall with her husband Paco.  She treasured the time she spent making memories with her children.  She loved playing softball and card games with her grandchildren, sitting amongst her flowers, and talking with her beloved pet parrot Mort.

Dolores raised a loving family with her husband that included nine children and her sister Estefana’s eight children whom she and Paco helped raise.  She leaves behind her children Dolores Villarreal Vega, Marco Antonio (Lydia) Villarreal, Francisco Javier (Frances) Villarreal, María Cristina Villarreal Rodriguez, Jaime Arnoldo (Diana) Villarreal, Ramón Luis Villarreal, Henry William (Zoila†) Villarreal, José Gustavo (Úrsula) Villarreal, and her chosen children: Fr. Eugenio “Gene” Cañas, Eduardo (Pyda) Cañas, Frances (Carlos†) Leal, Roberto (Olaya) Cañas, Reynaldo (Elda) Cañas, Filomena (Billy†) Leo.   Also left to cherish Dolores’ memory are her 19 grandchildren, 22 great-grandchildren, 2 great-great grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews.

The Villarreal family will receive friends and family on Monday, October 7, 2019 from 11:00 AM to 9:00 PM at San Benito Funeral Home.  A Recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7 o’ clock on Monday evening.  A Funeral Mass will be celebrated at 10:00 AM on Tuesday, October 8, 2019 at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church, Fr. Luis Tinajero, Celebrant.  Dolores will be laid to rest at a later date in a private ceremony at the family’s cemetery.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the caring directors and staff of San Benito Funeral Home, 1400 W. Business 77, San Benito, Texas.  956.230.7198  www.sanbenitofuneralhome.com