Susana Lucio

Embraced by the love of her family, Susana Martínez Lucio, 92, passed away peacefully on the evening of January 8, 2024, after a long courageous battle with Alzheimer’s. Susana was born on May 24, 1931, in Xilitla, San Luis Potosí, Mexico to Silviano and Modesta Andablo Martinez, who preceded her in death. At the age of sixteen, Susana left Xilitla, Mexico and moved to El Paso, Texas. She resided in El Paso for a brief time and settled in San Benito, Texas.

Although the grief weighs heavy on our hearts, the family takes comfort knowing that Mom and Dad are together again. She married Enrique Lucio Sr. of San Benito in 1955, and they were together for more than 60 years. It was his truck that caught her eye, as the story goes. Dad preceded her in death in 2017, and not a day went by that she did not ask for him.

Susana’s humility brought so much joy to everyone around her. She was the first to step up and offer help to anyone in need. The love she had towards her family, friends, and neighbors was immense. She welcomed anyone who arrived at her home, not out of obligation, but because that is who she was. She tackled each day with vigor and determination, always willing to go the extra mile for her loved ones. Susana always had a place for anyone to stay and a hot meal to eat, especially during the holidays, and with her offerings of support came a piece of advice ready to be dispensed, whether you asked for it or not.

Susana’s strong work ethic and perseverance inspired those fortunate enough to know her, and working hard was a trait that all her children inherited. She started working at an early age in her father's coffee plantation fields in Xilitla, in the cotton fields of West Texas alongside Dad, and at Carters in Harlingen, finally leaving to continue the honorable work of raising her children and children’s children.

Susana’s life was a beautiful symphony of passion for music; she enjoyed the contrasting sound of the instrumental trio. She sang with a soft and warm voice that would melt your heart, and a love for music that took her to compete in amateur contests around town in her early twenties. Susana’s legacy shall endure as her spirit lives on through the timeless notes and melodies she cherished. Her family can all still hear her singing along with the radio, or as she sat around the dining room table making recordings of her beautiful voice, or as she tended her beautiful plants, her “rosales.”

Plants and flowers surrounded the home where she lived with her nine children. It was a daily chore to water them, and no child ever escaped that duty. When a new plant appeared, no one dared ask where it came from, but we all knew some friend’s house, store, or business was missing a stem. When not outside with her plants, she was sitting on the front porch with dad or by her sewing machine, creating clothes for her children to wear or making a quilt for a lucky family member.

Her faith in God was never-ending, and prayer was a daily routine for her as she made sure that everyone always received her "bendicion,” whether we were going on a long trip or just going home for the day. God was her guide in life, and she raised all her children with that same faith, giving us her “bendicion” till the end.

Left to treasure Susana’s memory are her children: Elena Garza (Guadalupe), Gloria Amador (Carlos), Gilberto Lucio (Lourdes), Elida Mendoza (Fred), Eduardo Lucio (Marisol), and Eloy Lucio (Melinda). She is also survived by 24 grandchildren, 53 great-grandchildren and 15 great-great-grandchildren and her sister Roberta (Berta) Martinez.

She is preceded in death by her husband Enrique Lucio Sr., children Paulina Bejaran, Eulogio Lucio, Enrique Lucio Jr., and her adored grandson Ernesto Bejaran Jr.

The Lucio family will receive friends and relatives on Friday, January 12, 2024, from 2:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. at Buck Ashcraft San Benito Funeral Home. A recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 p.m. Friday evening. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated on Saturday, January 13, 2024 at 10:00 a.m. at St. Benedict’s Catholic Church in San Benito. Following the Mass, Susana will be laid to rest at Mont Meta Memorial Park.

We would also like to extend a special Thank You to Maggie and all the wonderful caregivers, nurses and staff at Angelcare Haven who were witness to her determination and strength above her illness.

May she rest in eternal peace, her memory cherished, and her legacy forever remembered.

“Recuerda a los que nos dejaron con tu mejor sonrisa.”