Elma Garza Gaona

ELMA GARZA GAONA Elma Garza Gaona, 70, entered into eternal rest Monday, July 20, 2015, at Rio Grande Regional Hospital. Elma fought a long battle with multiple illnesses since 2005, and she almost beat them all. She has a brave and wonderful spirit. She is preceded in death by her parents, Pedro G and Hilaria L Garza; and her husband Francisco Gaona. Elma loved two things so dearly in life: her family and her job in education. She held both in the highest regard. Elma never hesitated to provide for all of her family regardless of her situation. And, she did the same for her students. Elma graduated from San Isidro High School in 1962 and finished all her requisites in education in 1966 where she earned a Bachelor of Science from University of Texas Pan American. She then went on to impact a myriad of first grade’s lives for the next 20 years. It was at this point in her life when Elma needed a new challenge. She decided to further her education by pursuing a Masters in Education from National University in San Diego, California. This required not just her but the entire family to pack up and spend summers in San Diego while Elma took intense courses to finish her degree. She finished her Masters Degree in 1987. This endeavor exemplified Elma’s desire to not only better herself, but to further benefit her students, and to serve as a blueprint for her children as well. Elma taught throughout the Valley for 40 years, but spend the majority of her teaching career at Austin Elementary (29 years) in Harlingen, Texas. Elma is survived by countless 1st grade students whom enjoyed her teachings; in addition to her two sons, Francisco Xavier (Kcenia), Xiquio Omar (Samantha); two daughters Glendelia Eunice and Xenia Idette Garza (Joey). Elma also had 7 grandchildren as well as multiple nieces and nephews. She is also survived by her brother, Pedro Garza. Visitation will be held from 5 to 9 p.m., with a 7 p.m. rosary, Wednesday, July 22, 2015, at Memorial Funeral Home Chapel in San Juan. Funeral service will take place at 10 a.m. Thursday, July 23, 2015, at St. Jude’s Catholic Church in Pharr. Interment will follow at Lopez Cemetery in Santa Elena, Texas where she will lie for all of eternity next to her loving husband, Frank Gaona. Pallbearers will be Roberto and Rick Garza, Xavier and Xiquio Gaona, Jose Gonzalez and Joey Garza. Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.