Angela Juarez

ANGELA "GELA" JUAREZ

AUGUST 2, 1935 - MAY 31, 2016

Mrs. Angela "Gela" Juarez, beloved spouse of Benito M. Juarez +; a devoted wife, mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother was called home on Tuesday, May 31, 2016.

Angela was a strong, independent woman with an infectious zeal for life and an innate abiliity and desire to care for others. At an early age she began volunteering at the then Mercy Hospital as a Candy Striper, she completed an in house program of study and was waivered her license as an LVN. Her career with Mercy Hospital unfolded through the years as she served in varied capacities, her favored ones being labor and delivery and pediatrics. She then was blessed to serve the latter years of her career lovingly caring for the aging Sisters of Mercy alongside her great friend and ally Sister Aele Fuchs. Gela was always the night shift person so as not to interrupt her devotion to her husband and children.

Gela was a devoted friend to many and upon retirement her passionate voice resonated when she sang joyfully amongst her friends as they brought joy to the nursing homes and rosaries of many friends. When she was not committed to the activities of her family, work, or friends, you could find Gela shopping for a good bargain "en el Centro," "en La Politica," or volunteering with food distribution. Her delicious cooking, her daily news, her laughter, and her love will be deeply missed by the memories of the "cool" mom and grandma will last eternally.

Angela was preceded in death by her husband of 56 years, Benito M. Dilley Juarez; parents, Teodoro and Aurora Juarez; brothers, Andres, Arnoldo, Armando, Agustin "Tino", and Ted Juarez; her grandson Francisco Javier "Javie" Juarez, and her great-grandson Adam Stuart.

She is survived by her children, Benito D. (Pamela), Oscar (Gloria), Orlando (Sandra), Omar (Leti) Juarez, and Melinda (Joe) Gutierrez; her grandchildren, Anissa (Chris), Selina (Burt), Cristina (Ardie), Alyssa (Robert), Melissa (Paulo), Benito J. (Mayra), Orlando, Jr. (Lorena), Omar, Jr., Michael, Anali, Angela, Monica, and Marissa; great-grandchildren, J.R., Victor, Nina, Bobby, Matias, and Ilana. She is also survived by her sisters, Virginia Garcia, Aurora Lambert, and numerous other loving relatives and friends.

A heartful thanks to Dr. Maurice Click, Altus Hospice Care, and to her devoted caregivers, Magda and Alexandra.

Visitation will be held Wednesday, June 1, 2016 at Joe Jackson Springfield Funeral Chapel, 1900 Springfield from 5 to 8 in the evening. A Rosary will be recited at 7 in the evening.

Funeral services will be held Thursday, June 2, 2016 departing the funeral home at 8:00 a.m. to San Luis Rey Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 8:30 a.m.

Pallbearers will be: Benito J., Orlando, Jr., Omar, Jr., Michael, Chris Ramirez, Burt Stewart, Paulo Lozano, Andres Juarez, Jr., and Joe Gutierrez. Honorary Pallbearers will be: Benito, Oscar, Orlando, and Omar Juarez.

Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

You may express your condolences online at www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements are under the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Springfield Funeral Chapels, 1900 Springfield, Laredo, TX 78040, 956.722.0001