Ercilia "Chila" F. Cantu

Ercilia "Chila" F. Cantu, 92, passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones on Thursday, January 4, 2024. Ercilia was born on January 1, 1932, in Pharr, Texas to Simon T. Flores and Maximiana Zuniga Flores. Growing up in Pharr, Chila loved music and learned to play the piano at a young age.  She was active in many school clubs but was especially proud of being a member of the PSJA Marching Band from 1947-1951, where she played the French Horn. After graduating from high school, she attended Pan American College, studying accounting and business. Ercilia was a lifelong parishioner of St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church in Pharr, living out her faith daily, in her words and deeds.

Ercilia married Carlos A. Cantu from Rachal, Texas in 1957. After a year of operating her in-law's Delicia's Café in Rachal, they settled in Pharr in 1958 where they opened Cantu's New Stop, a small, wood frame neighborhood grocery store. By 1962, they built a larger brick store, Cantu's Super Market, which included groceries, dry goods, a meat market/deli and a full-service gas station.  She and her husband along with their children proudly served the community for 50 years. Their other business ventures included investing in real estate development projects and selling residential lots and homes.

Ercilia was a devoted mother, raising five children with love and dedication. She instilled in them the values of hard work, integrity, and compassion. She enjoyed reading, cooking family meals, singing and traveling.  She ensured her family remained united, providing a warm and loving home where they could find comfort and joy.  Ercilia's legacy as a mother, wife, friend, and businesswoman, will continue to shine brightly in the hearts of all who were fortunate enough to know her.

Ercilia is preceded in death by her parents, her siblings Maria Alicia Hernandez, Espiridion Flores, Irene Salinas, and her son-in- law Armando Salinas. She is survived by her loving husband Carlos A. Cantu, her children, Gloria L.  Cantu Salinas, Carlos (Maggie) Cantu, Omar (Martha) Cantu, Roberto (Angela) Cantu, Rene Cantu, her 12 grandchildren, and 2 great grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 5 pm - 8 pm with a 6 pm Rosary on Monday January 8, 2024, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan .

Funeral Mass will be held on Tuesday January 9, 2024, at 10 am at St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, in Pharr, TX. Serving as pallbearers are grandsons, Carlos Cantu III, Aaron Michael Cantu, John Paul Cantu, Justin Matthew Cantu, Noel Adan Cantu and Michael Anthony Cantu. Interment will follow at Palm Valley Memorial Gardens in Pharr.
The family would like to thank her three caregivers, Lourdes, Marta and Tayde for their loving care in her home.

Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan, TX.