Argentina Cronfel Meurer

ARGENTINA CRONFEL MEURER

JULY 02, 1928 – MAY 03, 2020

On May 3, 2020, Argentina “Argie” Cronfel Meurer entered into eternal rest peacefully in her home with loving family at her side.

Among the happiest moments of Argie’s life were the times she spent with all of her grandchildren.  She deeply valued the relationships she had with her children, grandchildren, sisters, nieces and nephews and the wonderful times they spent together.  Not only did Argie truly cherish her family, she had a lasting devotion to her faith and was a lifelong practicing Catholic.  The memories she left her loved ones will forever be in our hearts.

Argie was born on July 2, 1928 in Honduras, in the town of Tela, a seaside village on the Caribbean edge of Central America.  She is one of six daughters born to George S. Cronfel (a native of Bethlehem, Palestine) and Sarah Leyva Cronfel (a native of Tegucigalpa, Honduras).   She moved to New Orleans, Louisiana with her parents and siblings, eventually settling in Laredo, Texas where her father owned and operated a business downtown.

In 1947, Argie graduated valedictorian from St. Augustine High school.  Afterwards, she received an Associate of Arts degree from Laredo Junior College.  She continued her education at Our Lady of the Lake University and then at the University of Texas at Austin where she obtained a Bachelors in Business Administration. In pursuit of her law degree, Argie was admitted to the University of Texas Law School, as one of only two females in the class. She graduated from UT in 1955 with a Doctorate of Jurisprudence.

In 1955, Argie became licensed to practice law in Texas, and went to work for Ed Mann in Laredo.  A role model for women across the state, Argie was only one of three women who were practicing law in Laredo at the time.

In 1965, Argie married Dennis Meurer, a native of Iowa.  They had two sons, George “Rusty” Meurer and Frank A. Meurer.  Argie continued practicing with the Mann Law office during her marriage and eventually started her own firm where she continued to practice law until near her time of passing.

Argie was elected the first woman president of the Laredo Bar Association.  She served as a founding member of Laredo Legal Aid and served on the committee which initiated the Public Defender’s office of Webb County.  In the late seventies, she was appointed by Judge Zardenetta of the 111th Judicial District Court to manage Empresas El Rancho real estate subdivisions, which involved extensive complex litigation with the developers.  She was also one of the very few attorneys who has handled a bankruptcy for a municipality.

Argie honorably practiced her profession for over 60 years and was held in high esteem by her colleagues.  While she was dedicated to her profession, she considered service to people above all else.  Argie imparted this legacy to all who encountered her.

Argie was recognized for her work as an outstanding woman personality by the Laredo Times on December 12, 1982.  In 1997, she was selected as the Laredo Community College Top 50 Distinguished Alumni at its 50th anniversary celebration.  She received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the Laredo Webb County Bar Association on March 20, 2002 and December 4, 2018.

Argie also had a sharp business acumen, and was a successful “businesswoman” long before the term gained widespread use. She founded the Jacqueline women’s clothing boutique, and helped run Denco Photo stores after Dennis Meurer’s passing in 1981.

Argie was preceded in death by her parents, her sisters Consuelo Cronfel, Stella Cronfel and Sarah Cronfel Ochoa, her niece Dr. Marissa Keene, and nephew Dr. Miguel Ochoa.

She is survived by sons Rusty Meurer (Belinda) and Frank Meurer  (Valerie), her sisters Ada Cronfel and Dr. Gladys Cronfel Keene (Dr. Roger), and her grand-children Ava E. Meurer,  Emma A. Meurer, Taylor A. Meurer, Meaghan A. Meurer, Emily A.  Meurer, Peytan A. Meurer,  and Frankie D. Meurer.

In lieu of a public visitation and funeral service, due to COVID-19 and our social responsibility to our friends and extended family, we will be having a private rosary on Friday evening and a funeral on Saturday with internment to follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery.

A memorial Mass in Argie’s name is anticipated after the pandemic crisis is abated.

You may express your condolences, share a memory or favorite story of Argie on her online memorial at:  www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

In lieu of flowers, the family invites you to send a donation to your favorite charity.

Arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson Heights Funeral & Cremation Services, 719 Loring at Cortez., Laredo, TX 78041, 956.722.0001