Maria Hilda Sanchez Lopez

Maria Hilda S. Lopez, 87, devoted daughter, sister, wife, mother, and friend passed away on December 26, 2020. She was born in Rio Grande City, Texas on November 9, 1933. Hilda attended Rio Grande City High School and played the flute in the high school band. Hilda graduated from Rio Grande High School in 1952. She married her sweetheart, Ruben Lopez, on December 5, 1953. For 11 years the young couple lived in Bruni, Texas and Hebbronville, Texas where they established lifelong friendships. They spent many nights playing cards and having fun with their friends from Hebbronville. Hilda and Ruben settled in Laredo in 1964 but for many years they continued driving to Hebbronville to play cards with their friends. In Laredo, Hilda worked as a Teacher’s Assistant at Alma Pierce Elementary School and as an Office Secretary at LISD’s Central Kitchen. Mostly, Hilda was a wonderful homemaker who dedicated herself to managing a home and to raising her 7 children.

Hilda loved her parents, Maria de Jesus Sanchez Guerra and Alonzo Margil Sanchez. Hilda lost her father to a heart attack when she was very young and her dear mother passed away in 1975. Hilda had great love and affection for her brothers Alonzo, Alberto, and Aurelio and her “little sister” Lydia. We loved listening to Tia Lydia and Mom “tag-teaming” to tell us a joke or humorous story from their childhood. Since they already knew the punch line they would start laughing so hard that they seldom finished the joke. Invariably, watching them “lose it” was as funny as the actual joke.

Hilda was kind, generous and fun to be around. She was a favorite of everyone who knew her, especially her grandchildren, nieces and nephews. Our Mom was very strong in her Catholic faith and she prayed daily. She was often found praying a rosary or praying a special intention for a family member or a friend.  Because of this, and in memory of our mother, we ask you to increase your “knee mail”. Pray to God, give thanks for your blessings and pray for each other.

Hilda was preceded in death by her parents, Maria de Jesus and Alonzo M. Sanchez; her husband of 62 years, Ruben Lopez; her daughter and angel on earth, Nelda Marie Lopez; and son-in-law, Mike Medina. She was also preceded in death by brothers and sister, Alonzo, Alberto, Aurelio († Maria Luisa), and Lydia († Ruben); as well as her sisters and brothers-in-law, Ofelia († Roberto) de la Peña, Josefina († Walter) Price, Maria († Jose) Martinez, Alonzo Lopez, Jose Maria († Sylvia) Lopez, and Jose Humberto Lopez.

Hilda is survived by her children, Ruben (Roberta), David (Laura), Norma († Mike) Lopez-Medina, Oscar (Adriana), Mari (Rudy) Alvarado, and Diana (Benny) Molina. She is also survived by her grandchildren, Norma A. Martinez, Selina M. (Armando) Rodriguez, Melissa E. Lopez, Leonel (Zelina) Garcia III, David J. Lopez Jr., Ariana (Lalo) Bermea-Mendoza, Triana L. Lopez, Oscar (Carolina) O. Lopez II, Rene R. Lopez, Randy C. Bermea II, Katrina A. Lopez, Gilbert R. Bermea, Sabrina M. Lopez, Karina L. Lopez, Nicolas S. Lopez, Bernardo A. Molina, Isabella R. Lopez, Miguel A. Molina, Alejandro J. Molina, Daniel Alvarado, Adrienne Alvarado, and Monica Alvarado; as well as great-grandchildren, Tanni, Andrea and Armando Rodriguez II, Alexandra and Avery Mendoza and Camila De La Torre. She is further survived by her brother and sisters-in-law, Elmo (Consuelo), Anastasia († Jose Humberto) Lopez, Gloria († Alonso) Lopez, Delia († Alberto) Sanchez, and Teresa († Alonzo) Sanchez.

We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to Hilda’s longtime friend and sister-in-law, Consuelo F. Lopez. Thanks for visiting and having coffee with Mom so often. She loved you like a sister and we love you too. Special thanks to The Elmo Lopez Family for your love and support over the years.

In lieu of flowers, we kindly request that you consider making a donation to: Down Syndrome Association of South Texas (please write “for Laredo Chapter” in the memo and all of your money will stay in Laredo for Laredoans), the check can be mailed c/o Priscilla Garcia, 108 Atlanta Drive, Laredo, Texas 78045; or to the Special Olympics Texas Area 21, 6108 McPherson Rd. Suite 3, Laredo, Texas 78041.

Pallbearers are: Nicolas S. Lopez, David J. Lopez Jr., Rene R. Lopez, Norma A. Martinez, Oscar O. Lopez II, Ariana Bermea-Mendoza, Gilbert R. Bermea, and Bernardo A. Molina.

We wish to thank all of our family, friends, and acquaintances that have expressed their condolences on the loss of our beloved mother.  After careful consideration and out of concern for everyone’s health and safety during this pandemic, Hilda’s Visitation & Rosary will be held privately by our family.

Live streaming of these events will be available on the funeral home website linked to her online obituary beginning at 8 a.m. on Thursday morning, December 31st, 2020.

Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 a.m. at San Luis Rey Catholic Church.

You may express your condolences, share your favorite memories, sign the guestbook, and view the livestream 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.