Consuelo Kazen

"Our country has lost a great Democrat with the passing of Connie Raymond Kazen." said Susana Benavidez, who met her in 1975 when the late U.S. Representative Abraham "Chick" Kazen hired Susana to work in his Washington, D.C. office. "Mama Connie was most compassionate, wise, and loving; which made her the perfect political wife and most nurturing mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend. I, along with so many people, was fortunate and privileged to call her a friend. Connie was an angel on earth when she was among us." Mrs. Kazen is preceded in death by her parents: Mr. and Mrs. Manuel J. and Santos Zapata Raymond, Jr.; beloved husband: Congressman Abraham "Chick" Kazen, Jr.; sisters: Teresa Raymond Flores and Mary Sanchez; and brother: Adolfo Raymond. Connie gave her considerable creative talents and passion to teaching and to many organizations such as the Texas Senate Ladies Club, the Pan American Round Table, the Texas State Teachers Association, the Society of Martha Washington, the Congressional Texas State Society, and the Laredo Doll Club. She was a Lady in the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre. Left behind to cherish her memory are her children: Abraham Kazen, III, Norma Kazen, Christina (Ronny) Attal, Catherine Kazen, and Jo Betsy Kazen; 11 grandchildren; and 11 great-grandchildren. She is further survived by her sisters: Gloria Woods, Chabela Martinez, and Zita Coffey; brothers: Manuel J. (Angelina) Raymond, Jr. and Rolando (Amada) Raymond; as well as by a great number of nieces, nephews, other beloved relatives, and friends. We extend our most sincere gratitude to those people that made her final years more enjoyable: Roy from Laredo Mobility for having always been such a gentleman; Malena Martinez and Eulalia "Lalita" Longoria for having cared for her; Velia Martinez who was a wonderful friend and companion; and lastly her medical team, led by her lifelong dear friend and family member: Dr. Joaquin G. Cigarroa, Jr., as well as Dr. Homero Sanchez, and Dr. J. Manuel Gonzalez. The family will gather to celebrate her life on Friday, March 27, 2015 from 5 to 8:30 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd. Eulogies will begin at 6:30 p.m. immediately followed by the recitation of the Rosary at 7 p.m. A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 9 a.m. on Saturday, March 28, 2015 at San Agustin Cathedral; all who are attending are asked to please meet at church. Rite of Committal and Interment will follow at the family plot in the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be: Christian Paul Kazen, Sean Thomas Dillman, R. Kenneth Attal, Jr., David A. Kazen, Jeremy T. Attal, Derrick Michael Dillman, Don Calvin Dillman-Rye, and Justin Travis Rye. In honoring mother's memory, we respectfully request that in lieu of flowers donations be made to the Laredo Animal Protective Society (L.A.P.S.), 2500 Gonzalez St., Laredo, Texas 78040 www.petadoptlaredo.org or to St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital www.stjude.org. You may express your condolences and sign the guestbook online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com Arrangements have been entrusted to the care and direction of the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.