Alicia Mendoza

Alicia P. Mendoza, 97 years of age, passed away peacefully in her sleep during the early morning hours of Thursday, December 03, 2015 at the home of her eldest daughter in San Antonio, Texas.

A native of Laredo, she was born on June 24, 1918, and was the only surviving child of Teresa Montemayor Puentes andAlberto Puentes. In 1939, she married the late Louis Felipe Mendoza, a local businessman elected to the Laredo City Council who served as a longtime Member and also as Mayor Pro Tem, alongside former Mayor J.C. Martin, Jr. Alicia and Louis lived together in Laredo until his untimely death in 1983.

Alicia graduated from Raymond and Tirza Martin High School in 1936. At the young age of sixteen, she joined the staff of The Laredo Times. Mentored and supported by staff and the members of the Allen family ownership and management team, she started her career in the Accounting Department as a bookkeeper. Through tireless devotion and work at the Times, she rose through the ranks to eventually assume the position of Business Manager. For over fifty years, she was a devoted employee and served the Times' subscribers, management and staff until her retirement. Her love of the Times and longtime friends left behind stayed with her throughout her life.

Alicia was passionate about her family. After retiring and once widowed, she moved to San Antonio to be close to her two eldest daughters and granddaughters. Alicia loved music, dancing, traveling, and spending time with family and friends. She loved people and visited numerous European countries, took Caribbean cruises, and also made several trips to Alaska.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband, Luis F. Mendoza; as well as by her parents, Alberto and Teresa Puentes.

She is survived by five children: Patricia Bonewits, Ph.D. (Harold Bonewits) of San Antonio, Texas; Louis F. Mendoza Jr., M.D. (Leticia Martinez) of Laredo, Texas; Dianne T. Mendoza, Ph.D. of San Antonio, Texas; Nina Stopniewicz, M.A. (Albert Stopniewicz) of Costa Mesa, California; and Ricardo Mendoza, M.D. (Patricia Hewitt) of Malibu, California. She is also survived by loving granddaughters, grandsons, and great-granddaughters and grandsons including: Kevin A. Garza (Keven Van and Halen); Dina Uribe Cruz (Gilbert Cruz, daughter Catherine Joyce); Michelle Mendoza (Brad Groff), Aimee Mendoza (Brian Howe, children, twins Cailin & Riley, son Brennen), Dr. Carise Mendoza Orsi (Dr. Mike, sons Luke and Jack); Cristina Mendoza (Aimee); Louis F. Mendoza, III; and Alberto Mendoza.

Alicia was beloved by her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. If love could hold back the cycle of life, Alicia would have stayed with her family forever.

The family will receive condolences on Sunday, December 06, 2015 from 5 to 9 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels; 1410 Jacaman Rd; where a Rosary will commence at 7 p.m.

Funeral services will be conducted on Monday, December 07, 2015. Funeral procession will depart at 9 a.m. from Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels to St. John Neumann Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 9:30 a.m.

Pallbearers will be: Dr. Rick Mendoza, Albert Stopniewicz, Kevin Garza, Gilberto Cruz, Alberto P. Mendoza, and Hal Bonewits.

Dr. Louis F. Mendoza, Jr. will be the Honorary Pallbearer.

The Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.