Aida Garza

Mrs. Ada Graciela Laurel Garza passed away on Saturday, March 21, 2015, at Doctors Hospital. Mrs. Garza, an educator with the Laredo Independent School District for thirty seven years, retired in 1993. She began her teaching career as a speech therapist and later served as the first principal of D.D. Hachar Elementary School. At the time of her retirement, she was the Director of Elementary Schools for Laredo Independent School District. She was a graduate of Martin High School, and earned a bachelor's degree in speech education from Texas State College for Woman and a master's degree in speech and hearing therapy from Texas Women's University, pursuing further post-graduate work at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A & I in Kingsville. Mrs. Garza was active in many state and local educational organizations including the Texas State Teachers Association, the Laredo Administrators and Supervisors Organization, the International Reading Association, and the Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma. She served as Webb County Chairman of the Teachers' Educational and Professional Standards Committee, president of District 1 and state executive committeewoman for District 1 of the Texas State Teachers Association, chair of the TSTA breakfast at the National Education Association Convention in Philadelphia, and was appointed by the Governor to the Teachers Professional Practices Commission. In recognition of her exemplary contributions to the field of education, Mrs. Garza was honored with a Resolution by the Texas House of Representatives, 74th Legislature; the City of Laredo declared December 19, 1993 as Ada Garza Day; and she was awarded the George Washington Honor Medal by Las Damas De La Republica, del Rio Grande Chapter. Mrs. Garza was a long-standing member of Blessed Sacrament Church, and served as a Lector for many years. Mrs. Garza was preceded in death by her husband, Dennis E. Garza, her parents Aida G. and Fernando D. Laurel, and mother and father-in-law Consuelo M. and Elas G. Garza. She is survived by her son Dennis Ricardo (Leticia C.) Garza, her daughters Rebecca Graciela (Patrick) Flanigan and Araceli Laura (Jose R.) Serrano-Piche, and six grandchildren: Christina Patrice Flanigan, Regina Grace Flanigan, Laurel Ann Flanigan, Megan Rose Flanigan, Dennis Matthew Garza, and Nicole Marie Flanigan. Other survivors include two brothers, Fernando D. (Lorraine) and Pedro E. (Jacobita), her sister Adriana L. Laurel, and many great-nieces, great-nephews, and cousins. Visitation at the Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Home will be held on Tuesday, March 24, from 5:00 P.M. to 9:00 p.m. A Vigil and Rosary is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. on that day officiated by Dennis Ricardo Garza and Deacon Roger Martinez. Funeral services will be Wednesday, March 25, 2015, from Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel to Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church for a holy Mass at 10:30 a.m. con-celebrated by the Most Rev. James A. Tamayo, D.D., and Rev.Fr. Wojciech Przystasz. Lectors at the Mass will be Adriana L. Laurel, Rebecca Graciela Flanigan, and Araceli Laura Serrano-Piche. Eucharistic Cross Bearer will be Dennis Matthew Garza. Music will be provided by Veronica Ramirez. Pallbearers will be Fernando Daniel Laurel, Jr., Pedro Eduardo Laurel, Mauro R. Garca, Jr., Patrick L. Flanigan, Pete Cant, III, Jose R. Serrano-Piche, Peter Eduardo Laurel, Jr., and Andy Laurel. Honorary Pallbearers are Pedro Cant, Jr., Charles P. Flanigan, and Jorge Javier Macas. The Garza children extend their deepest gratitude to Dr. Ralph Nimchan and the ICU nurses at Doctors Hospital for the excellent and compassionate care given to their mother. Also, heartfelt thanks go to Alejandra and Carolina, Mrs. Garza's faithful caregivers. Interment will be held in the family plot at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. The family encourages you to sign the guest book online at www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Joe Jackson Heights Funeral Chapel, 719 Loring at Cortez.