Rosario Garza Kirby

Rosario Garza Kirby
November 5, 1938- December 21, 2023
Donna, Texas- Rosario Garza Kirby, affectionately known as Rosie, was called home to Heaven by our
Lord on December 21, 2023, at her home, surrounded by her family. Rosario was born in San Juan,
Texas to parents Mariano and Estela Alaniz Garza, the second born of eight siblings. She is predeceased
by her parents, sisters Bertha Gomez, and Juanita Lopez, spouses Marvin Scogin, and Gene Kirby. Left
to cherish her memory are her loving daughter Debbie Scogin (Bernard), granddaughters Brittany
(Johnny), and Kayla Rodriguez, and great-grandchildren Noah and Ali Mae Castro, her beloved siblings
who meant the world to her, Mariano Garza Jr., Estela Gomez, Carlos Garza, Cristina Espinoza (Toby),
and Mario Garza (Corina), numerous nieces and nephews, and stepson Don (Julia) Scogin.
Rosie was a proud graduate of the PSJA Bears Class of 1958. She was an active member of the High
School Choir, and she made lifelong friendships with wonderful classmates who she enjoyed seeing at
class reunions and homecoming football games. While in high school, she took several homemaking
classes, and learned how to bake and cook complete traditional meals. She would come home and
teach her sisters everything she learned, and she soon became the family go to for recipes. Rosie began
working at a young age, when her family would migrate to West Texas to pick cotton. She also worked
at her uncle’s small-town store, packing groceries and manning the register. She enjoyed working and
was happy to help tend to the local customers. Rosie went on to work at Scogin’s grocery store where
she met her first love Marvin Scogin; they were married and settled in Donna, Texas. They lived a happy
life with their daughter, until Marvin was called to Heaven in 1985. Although devastated by his loss,
Rosie and her daughter took care of one another, and they persevered. Rosie worked for Donna ISD for
29 years until she retired, as a high school attendance clerk, where she impacted numerous students’
lives when she would encourage them to attend school daily, and to arrive to school on time. If a
student was five-minutes late, Rosie was sure to call the student’s parents to let them know. Numerous
students came back years later to thank her for encouraging them to stay in school and graduate. In the
last years of her employment, she was the kind voice of the school district, as the receptionist for the
administration building.
Rosie adored her parents, and she would do anything she could for them. They were often out and
about together shopping and having lunch. Rosie and her sisters had an immense love for one another;
they were sisters and the best of friends, always there for each other in good times and bad. They
enjoyed many conversations over a pot of coffee. A long-standing tradition for the Garza girls, that
Rosie made sure to continue, was the annual Christmas Cookie Exchange that Ama (Estela) started. The
girls looked forward to baking cookies for one another and getting together for a fun-filled time.
Another favorite pastime was bowling, Rosie joined a women’s bowling league with her sister’s Cris and
Teli, and she became quite the bowler, often bringing home trophies as a team. During one of the
tournaments, she bowled a perfect game; she was so excited to see her name displayed on a banner at
the bowling alley.
Rosie had a strong faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and she was a true example of a faithful servant. She
believed in being kind to others and seeing the good in everyone. She believed in helping anyone in
need; she cared for numerous family members, and neighbors in their time of sickness, and she did so
with love and compassion. Rosie lived by the Golden Rule precept in the Gospel of Matthew (7:12): “In
everything, do unto others what you would have them do unto you.”

Rosie loved music, and she loved to dance. Her favorite country singer was George Strait, who she
called “Georgie.” Anytime there was a family get together, there was sure to be great music and she
would call on one of her nephews to dance with. She also loved to sing, she was often heard humming
church hymns, and Christmas carols.
Rosie and her only child, Debbie, had a unique and special bond; they were inseparable. They could sit
and talk for hours about anything and everything, and if they did not see each other for a day, they
would talk on the phone for an hour or two. They were each other’s best friend. They enjoyed trips to
San Antonio, going out for lunch on weekends, and they attended mass together weekly. Rosie loved
helping with her granddaughters Brittany and Kayla, she would pick them up from school, and they
would spend their days with her when they were on break. Rosie known to her granddaughters as
“Meme,” would take them shopping, teach them to cook and bake, and how to keep a tidy home. Her
daughter and granddaughters were her world. Meme was also blessed to know her great grandchildren,
Noah and Ali Mae, who she adored. She would often enjoy a juice box and cookies with them while
watching some of their favorite shows, and Ali Mae often took a nap with Meme in her recliner.
After ten years as a widow, Rosie married the second love of her life, Gene Kirby. They adored one
another and lived happily enjoying time with their family. Rosie was heartbroken when Gene was called
home to Heaven in 2013. She kept her faith in our Lord and found comfort in spending time with family
and friends. Rosie’s dear friends Zoilita, Juanita, Isidra, Norma, Lydia, and numerous other friends, often
gathered at her house to celebrate birthdays and she enjoyed every minute of their time together.
Rosie loved Christmas and she would happily enjoy the anticipation of the birth of baby Jesus by
decorating her home and preparing her family’s favorite foods. She looked forward to seeing her
relatives and spending Christmas Day together. As difficult as it is to accept that Rosie is no longer with
us, we find comfort in knowing that she is rejoicing in Heaven with our Lord Jesus, and her loved ones
who have gone before her, at the most special time of year.
The family would like to extend deepest gratitude to Vicente (Rosalba) Ortiz, who was like a son to her,
and who was always available to assist her in anything she needed, and to Rosie’s caretakers, Benita,
and Vicky who cared for her during her eight years battling Alzheimer’s, IMS Home Health Care,
especially nurses Alex, and Janie who cared for her in her final days, and Rev. Herrera for his prayers.
Also, her favorite doctor, Roel Contreras, PA, who made her feel better just by visiting with her. A
special thank you to her granddaughter Brittany, who provided around the clock care for her grandma
the last several months.

Visitation will be held from 5 to 8 p.m. with a 6 p.m. rosary Thursday, December 28, 2023, at Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.  Funeral service will take place at 12:30 p.m. Friday, December 29, 2023, at St. John the Baptist Parish in San Juan. Interment will follow at Highland Memorial Park in Weslaco.

Funeral services are under the direction of Memorial Funeral Home in San Juan.