Josefa D. "Josie" Cantu

JOSEFA "JOSIE" D. CANTU EDINBURG - Josefa "Josie" D. Cantu, 75, died Thursday, November 29, 2012, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital in McAllen. Mrs. Cantu was born on March 19, 1937 to Luz and Paula Salazar. She was a member of Holy Family Catholic Church in Edinburg. Josie had an immense love for children. In 1960 she began her career as an educator with the Hidalgo School District as a physical education coach. She was influential in starting up the cheerleading program when the school became a junior high. Once the school transitioned into a high school she became a school migrant counselor. Her educational values and the memories of the students from the Hidalgo School District were cherished all her life. Mrs. Cantu was also involved with the Edinburg City Youth Baseball League. She was probably the first woman in the early 60's to coach a boy's baseball team in Edinburg. Her husband Nick soon took the reins of the team, but she always stayed involved and was determined to do the best in leading the team. In 1979 Josie transferred to the Edinburg CISD as a migrant counselor. Mrs. Cantu retired in 1989 due to an illness. This allowed her to spend more time at home with her loving husband and children. She and her husband sponsored numerous homeless children from South and Central America. Josie was also a part of the Marriage Encounter Movement. Mrs. Cantu loved her school kids, grandchildren, her family, and most of all adored her husband Nick. She is preceded in death by her siblings, Francisco Salazar, Salome Salazar, Jose Angel Salazar, Maria de la Luz Cantu, and Paula Borrego. Josie is survived by her beloved husband of 52 years, Nick C. Cantu; two sons, Nick (Grace) Cantu and Rene R. (Mere) Cantu; a daughter, Lucy (Sergio) Rodriguez; three foster children, Delia Cedillo, Sylvia Hernandez, Victor Canseco, and many others; nine grandchildren; two sisters-in-law, Dora Salazar and Fidencia Salazar; numerous nieces and nephews. Visitation will be today from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary today, December 2, 2012, at Memorial Funeral Home, 208 E. Canton in Edinburg. Funeral service will be at 2 p.m. Monday, December 3, 2012, at Holy Family Catholic Church in Edinburg. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr. Pallbearers will be: Dr. Ruben Gallegos, Dr. Joe Manzano, Dr. Miguel De Los Santos, JL Salinas, Fernando de la Garza, and Jose "Pepe" Rojas. The family would like to give special thanks to her caregiver, Lourdes Loza. “Laugh as much as you breathe, Love as long as you live” - Unknown Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in Edinburg.