Maria Alicia Garza

María Alicia “Nena” Garza, 80, entered eternal rest Tuesday, February 21, 2023 with her loving family by her bedside. She was born to the late Leobardo Garza and Dolores Garcia Garza on November 13, 1942 in El Ranchito, Texas.

Nena received a Masters of Elementary Education from Texas A&I University-Kingsville and was a professional educator with San Benito CISD until her retirement after thirty-two years of dedicated service. She was much loved and highly respected by all her students and colleagues at La Encatada Elementary School. Nena was blessed with a gift for teaching, not only academics but also life lessons, and made a positive impact on several generations of students.

She was a devout Catholic and committed to her community and church, St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church. For over thirty years, Nena taught CCD to countless children, selflessly volunteered in various activities at St. Ignatius, served as an Extraordinary Eucharistic Minister, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.

Nena’s favorite activity, besides going to church, was visiting casinos and gambling, which she did often. She also enjoyed traveling.

Nena was preceded in death by her parents, Leobardo and Dolores G. Garza; her sisters, Idalia G. Benavidez and Angelita G. Pedraza; and her brothers, Leobardo Garza Jr., Manuel G. Garza, Juan G. Garza, Eliberto Garza, and Ismael Garza; and some nephews.

Left to treasure Nena’s memory are her sisters, Estela G. Rodriguez and Lupita G. Leal, numerous nieces and nephews; and grandnephews and grandnieces.

The Garza family will receive relatives and friends on Thursday, February 23, 2023 from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin Thursday evening at 7 o’clock. Visitation will continue at the funeral home on Friday, February 24, 2023 from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will follow at 3:00 p.m. at St. Ignatius of Loyola Catholic Church in El Ranchito, Texas.

Honored to serve as pallbearers are Armando Benavidez, Rosalio Rodriguez Jr., Trinidad Leal, Lee Roy Garza, Elsa Belinda Garza, and Sandra Garza Amaya. Noemi Vasquez and Connie Rosenbaum will serve as honorary pallbearers.

In lieu of flowers, you are invited to honor Nena with a memorial donation to Gentiva Hospice, 410-A N. Ed Carey Drive, Harlingen, Texas 78550 https://www.gentivahs.com/about/donate/

It was Nena’s wish to be cremated and buried with her mom, dad, and brothers in the Esparza cemetery.

A celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

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