Linda Galarza

Linda Laura Garcia Galarza, affectionately known as Nina, 48, entered into the gates of heaven on December 27, 2021, surrounded by her loving family.

Nina has found peace with Our Lord Jesus Christ after a valiant and courageous battle with cancer. Her strong will to live, unwavering faith in God and the love and prayers of family and friends carried her through the cancer diagnosis and treatments over several years.

A graduate of J.W. Nixon High School in 1992 where she was a proud member of the Diamond Dolls, Student Council and the Senior Class, she later attended Southwest Texas University and Texas A & M International University completing a degree in Criminal Justice.

Her distinguished career began as a probation officer for the State of Texas. Ten years later she became a beloved criminal justice teacher at United South High School. She was a longtime member of Blessed Sacrament Catholic Church.

She will be remembered as a loving, nurturing and caring wife, mother, daughter, sister, aunt, niece, cousin, teacher, and friend. Nina will be greatly missed by all her family and by those whose lives she touched, but her smile, laughter, and spirit will never be forgotten.

She was preceded in death by maternal grandparents: Cayetano Jr. & Dora Tijerina; paternal grandfather: Arturo Garcia Jr.; Maya Garza, Dora & Kenneth Hickle, as well as numerous beloved aunts and extended relatives.

Left to cherish her  memory is her husband: Francisco Galarza III; children: Kayla Galarza, Franky Galarza, and Briseida Galarza; parents:  Alberto “Bimbo” & Linda Tijerina Garcia; Maria Eulalia (Mom Lala), Francisco & Patricia Galarza II; siblings:  Albert Garcia Jr., Abriel (Marty) Garcia, Lyset (Javier) Peña; Patricia & Cesar Soto, nieces and nephews: Nathan, Wyatt, Catalina, Lexi, Kendall, Chris, Skylar, Cesarito, Gael, and Victoria, aunts and uncles: Tito (Aminta) Tijerina, Estela († Heriberto) Avalos, Fernando († Tony) Tijerina, Raquel (Enrique) Valdez, Isaura († Rafael) Garcia, Cayetano (Rosalinda) Tijerina III, Carlos (Juanita) Tijerina, Guillermo (Cynthia) Tijerina, Leticia (Bob) Henry, Hector “Tati” (Patricia) Tijerina, Omar (Rosaura “Wawi”) Tijerina, Patricia (Rolando) San Miguel, Alfredo (Terry) Garcia, Andres (Vicky) Garcia, Celina (Alex) Campos; as well as an extended number of cousins and friends.

The family will be receiving condolences on Friday, December 31, 2021, from 3-8 p.m. at Joe Jackson North Funeral Chapels & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd.; where a Vigil for the Deceased and Chapel Service will commence at 5 p.m. led by Father Joel Perez de la Fuente.

Private Interment will be held at a later date.

The family would like to extend their most heartfelt gratitude to: Drs. Arturo & Laura Garza-Gongora, Dr. Mohsen Ghadimi-Mahani. They would also like to thank her aunts and uncles: Patty, Memo, Omar, Aminta and her cousins: Cordy, Ardy, Bekah, and her family, friends, and everyone else in her social and religious circle who lifted her up in prayer.

Honorary Pallbearers will be:  Franky Galarza, Albert Garcia Jr., Abriel Garcia, Javier Peña, Nathan Garcia, Wyatt Peña, Cesarito Soto, Gael Soto,

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, 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 & Cremation Services, 1410 Jacaman Rd., Laredo, Texas 78041; (956)722-8850.