Ramona Lucio Torres Rodriguez

Our Beloved mother, Ramona “Moni” Lucio Torres Rodriguez passed peacefully on July 16, 2024 at home surrounded by family and friends. She is preceded in death by her parents Guadalupe and Juanita Lucio; husbands, Enrique’ Torres and Catarino “Rod” Rodriguez; daughter, Irene Gonzalez; great granddaughter, Lauren Klespitz; sister, Gloria Becerra; brother, Demetrio Lucio and son in-laws, Ernie Alvarez Jr, Valdo Gomez and Mauro Gonzalez; brother in-laws, Manuel Becerra, Joe, Bobby and Frank Rodriguez.

Born in Chocolate Bayou, Texas to Guadalupe and Juana Lucio on December 2, 1923, she is the oldest of five children. Moni married in 1942 to Enrique’ Torres and together they had seven children, Toni Gomez (Valdo), Irene Gonzalez (Mauro), Kito Torres (Josefa), Rachel Alvarez (Ernie), Beda Hernandez (Noe), MaryJane Mata (Albert) and Debra Torres (Diane). Widowed in 1963, Moni worked hard to support her children and moved to Illinois. She attended Waubonsee Community College, Sugar Grove, IL to receive her GED and landed a job at Advance Wire, later known as Western Electric/AT&T/Lucent. She was a pioneer and so proud of the hard work she did with the spirit of “Rosie the Riveter”. Later working for Armour Dial Corporation and retiring after 20 years. 

 All of her children worked hard in the major industries of America (Caterpillar, Dial, General Mills, AT&T) and they were a source of pride and joy. Family was important to Moni and there were many celebrations at her home and it always included her children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and friends. 

Her hobbies were playing cards, bowling and cooking and she was well known to her Bowling Leagues and the Latin American Club. She loved to sing, dance, and welcome you into her home. 

She married Catarino Rodriguez in 1968 and together they enjoyed all that life had to offer for 55 years. Rod embraced her children and was by her side at every family celebration she hosted (and there were many!) They moved back to the Rio Grand Valley in 1994 to enjoy their retirement and reconnect with friends and family in her hometown. Moni was a lifelong member of St Joseph Catholic Church and devoted many hours and treasure to the catholic community over her lifetime. Always cheery, positive, forgiving and loving, Ramona lived a life full of grace for everyone. Her laughter and smile always reminded her family of the Lord’s Love.

Moni is survived by two sisters, Maria LaFon and Irma Gibbs; six of her seven children; 11 grandchildren, Beckie Benavides, Mauro Gonzalez Jr, Imelda Klespitz, Laura Izaguirre, Ernesto Alvarez Jr, Denise Clark, Tony Torres, Noe Hernandez Jr, Cynthia Wilson, Julie Thulin, and Albert Mata Jr; Great grandchildren, Louie Benavides IV, Stephanie Benavides, Ian Klespitz, Roy and Tony Izaguirre, Enrique’ Alvarez, Tyler, Justin and Jordan Clark, Heather Szukis, Brittani Dill, Hunter Hernandez, Desiree Stearns, Brook Wilson, Cody Wilson, Jacqueline Pena, Jessica and Jackson Thulin, Alison Mata and great great grandchildren, Kellan and Dylan Szukis, E.J. Hernandez, and Julianna Sterns.

The immediate family hold much gratitude to those who guided us and assisted mother during life and end of life’s journey to, Diana Mata, Maria Elena Torres, Melva Meza, Personal care: Jicela Sanchez and The care team; Dezeray, Baudelia, Alicia and Maria Bautista. 

Visitation will be Monday, July 22, 2024 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 at 7 o’clock Monday evening (This event will be live-stream: https://view.oneroomstreaming.com/index.php?data=MTcyMTM0NjExMDMxOTQ4MCZvbmVyb29tLWFkbWluJmNvcHlfbGluaw==).  A Mass will be held on Tuesday, July 23, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Joseph Catholic Church in San Benito. The funeral procession will depart the funeral home on Wednesday, July 24, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. for a graveside service at 10:00 a.m. at Mont Meta Memorial Park.