Esperanza Echevarria

ESPERANZA ECHEVARRIA

March 20, 1925 - March 12, 2016

Esperanza Reyes-San Pedro Echevarra, 90, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, March 12, 2016 in Laredo, Texas.

Mrs. Echevarra was born in Habana, Cuba on March 20, 1925 to Miguel Angel Reyes Fernandez and Esperanza San Pedro Xiques de Reyes. She married the love of her life, Humberto Echevarra Martin, on August 15, 1948 at Iglesia de la Virgen del Carmen Catholic Church in Habana, Cuba.

Esperanza received her primary education with the Philippine Sisters at Our Lady of Lourdes. She received her Bachelors of Arts & Sciences from Instituto Segunda Enseanza. She was conferred a PhD in Pharmaceutical and Laboratory Technology from the University of Habana, Cuba. She also holds a Master's Degree in Chemistry from St. Rose College in Albany, NY. In 1973, she received a second Master of Arts Degree from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas.

As an educator, Esperanza dedicated 28 years to the youth of Laredo. She taught at Ursuline Academy, Martin High School, and Nixon High School. She also taught at the Texas A&I University Continuing Education Program for underprivileged high school graduates in Crystal City and San Juan del Valle.

Among her many accomplishments and recognitions were Life Professional Certificate in Spanish and Chemistry, "Who's Who among American's Educators", member of "La Sociedad Nacional Honoraria Hispanica Sigma Delta Pi, Gamma Lambda Chapter", Association of Spanish and Portuguese Teachers, American Association of University Women, the Alpha Nu Chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma, Foreign Language Teacher's Association, Pan American Round Table, and the Catholic Altar Society.

Before coming to the United States, Mrs. Echevarra was a member of the "Juventud Catolica Cubana" from 1939 to 1962 serving as "Secretaria de Beneficencia". Mr. and Mrs. Echevarra both served as "Diocesan Sectaries of the Christian Marriage Groups" from 1954 to 1958. Upon arriving in Laredo, they continued their work with "Christian Marriage Groups" in the Diocese of Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico.

She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 50 years, Humberto M. Echevarra; her parents, Miguel Angel and Esperanza Reyes; brother, Miguel Angel Reyes; and sister, Margarita de Los Angeles Reyes.

She will be missed dearly by her daughters, Lourdes Rosa (Manuel E.) Perez, Tati (Juan Francisco) Aguilera, Carmen (Jaime) Ramon, Michelle (Eduardo) Fernandez; eleven grandchildren, Ana Cecilia (Francisco Javier) Covarrubias, Manuel Edgardo (Simmone) Perez, Gloriana (Raul Eliseo) Cantu, Maricarmen (David) Solis, Humberto (Evette) Aguilera, Juan Carlos Aguilera, Ana Elizabeth (Zach) Sherman, Jaqueline (Joseph Michael) Melle, Cristina Ramon, Richard Gutierrez, Roberto Gutierrez; and her eight great grandchildren, Sara Alicia, Viviana, Diego Covarrubias, Austin, Isabel Sherman, Joseph Michael, Charleigh Melle and Sofia Aguilera.

The family would like to express their upmost gratitude to Hospice Specialty Inc., especially Lisa Diaz who has been an angel throughout; as well as David Casas, Rosario Vidaurri; and her caregivers, Maria Teresa Otero and Celia Fonseca for all the care and attention provided.

Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 16, 2016 from 12 noon to 2:30 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapel; 1410 Jacaman Rd. A Rosary and Vigil will commence at 2 p.m.

Funeral procession will depart from the funeral home at 2:30 p.m. to St. Patrick Catholic Church for a Mass of Christian Burial at 3 p.m.

Pallbearers will be her grandsons: Manuel E. Perez, Jr., Humberto Aguilera, Juan Carlos Aguilera, Richard Gutierrez, and Roberto Gutierrez.

All services conclude after the Mass. Private inurnment will be held at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in her memory to any charity of your choice.

You may express your condolences to the family online at: www.joejacksonfuneralchapels.com

Arrangements have been entrusted to the funeral service professionals at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; 956.722.8850.