Altagracia Cedillo Torres

Altagracia was born in (El Ranchito) Ojo de Agua, Municipio de San Nicolas Tolentino, San Luis Potosi, Mexico. Altagracia was the second of 13 children born to Ascension and Dominga Cedillo. Altagracia's early years were spent working in El Ranchito. In her mid-teen years, her widowed mother moved the family to San Luis Potosi, SLP. Altagracia and her teen sisters worked in the garment factories by day, and her mother, Dominga sold cooked food from their front doorway to passersby, to make ends meet for several years. Ultimately, all the family except the oldest sister, Concha, moved to Weslaco, Texas.

Altagracia Cedillo, in her late teens, met and was asked to dance by Guadalupe Torres Sr. at a Wedding Feast back in Ojo de Agua. After a year's courtship and lots of dancing of 'Danzon', Altagracia and Guadalupe married on February 25, 1952 in San Luis Potosi, SLP. Altagracia and Guadalupe immigrated to the United States and settled in Weslaco, Texas. Guadalupe had previously worked as a 'Bracero' in the USA Guest Worker program and was familiar with farmworker life in South Texas: 'El Valle'.

Guadalupe and Altagracia became farm workers, with their home base as Weslaco, Texas. Altagracia and Guadalupe traveled to many states to: pick cotton, harvest crops of vegetables and fruit .They spent one winter in a canning factory near Danville, Illinois and after the birth of their fourth child David there in Illinois, opted to return to 'El Valle' in Texas to be close to their extended families and the warmer weather.

Altagracia gave birth to seven children. Her first child, Maria del Carmen, died at four months old from pneumonia in Weslaco, Tx. Altagracia gave birth to two sons, Juan and Guadalupe Jr. in Weslaco,Tx.; Son David was born in Danville, Illinois; Rogelio, Dalia and Hugo were born in Houston, Texas.

Altagracia and Guadalupe moved to Houston in 1959, where Guadalupe went to work in residential housing construction as a Carpenter. Altagracia was a stay at home mom for many years.

At the age of 40 Altagracia went back to work due to Guadalupe's failing health. Altagracia retired as Lead Custodian from J.R. Harris Elementary, after a 21 year career with Houston ISD in 1992.

Altagracia and Guadalupe were very involved in their church: Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church and with the Oblates of Mary Immaculate Missionary Order that established this Parish.

Altagracia was a member of various church groups at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parish: Los Cursillistas, The First Parent Group in newly the created Movimiento Familiar Cristiano with Father (to become Bishop) Patrick Flores and Las Guadalupanas. Altagracia and Guadalupe assisted the nuns at Immaculate Heart of Mary with school events and Guadalupe provided handy work and small repairs. All of Altagracia's children attended Catholic School at Immaculate Heart of Mary Parochial School and participated in many activities and festivities, as well as were baptized, confirmed and made their first communions in the church.

Altagracia and Guadalupe would alternate with other families in hosting the Sunday Cafeteria, after Mass, Breakfasts. Altagracia and Guadalupe loved to participate in the Annual Fall Festival: Guadalupe building the booths from lumber he bought and other handy work, while Altagracia made tamales and prepared food with her 'Comadres' in the cafeteria.

Altagracia's homemade tamales were a favorite Mexican food of not only her family, but the Oblate Fathers and friends in the neighborhood. Many Christmases Altagracia would gather her sisters and friends to make tamales in her home, but only if the weather was cool. Altagracia's Mole was the signature dish for her children's birthday celebrations and the most requested dish by anyone who knew about her family recipes and cooking skills.

Altagracia enjoyed being outside. Having grown up in a small ranch and helping her father plant, harvest and distribute crops of corn, beans and other vegetables until his passing when she was 16. Altagracia continued her gardening into her later years and loved to sit outside watering her roses and small trees. Altagracia enjoyed celebrating birthdays and Holidays with picnics at Mason Park with her children and neighbors. Altagracia would often sit on her porch knitting items for her grandkids and herself: beanies, scarves and the silk wedding purse for the wedding brides in her family. In her retirement, Altagracia continued her avid walking and exercise routines: first at Mason Park and then walking around the city block and finally up and down her driveway with her cane, walker and Rollator.

Altagracia was a devout Catholic, who prayed the Rosary everyday at early morning and prior to bedtime. Altagracia would occasionally add an extra rosary as a special intercession for family and friends who were ill or in difficulties and also for her desire for Peace and Greater Good in the World.

When in Mexico visiting relatives, Altagracia would make pilgrimages to the Cathedral Basilica de Nuestra Senora de San Juan de los Lagos in Ciudad San Juan, state of Jalisco, Mexico.

In her later years unable to travel to Mexico, Altagracia traveled yearly to the Basilica of the National Shrine of Our Lady of San Juan del Valle, in San Juan, Texas.

In the mid 1990s Altagracia traveled twice to the Holy Land. On her first visit the tour group had an audience with Pope John Paul II at the Vatican with Mariachis and Spanish Songs - which Pope John Paul loved. Altagracia was overcome with Joy and Peace when visiting the Christian sites in: Bethlehem, Nazareth and Jerusalem. Altagracia was moved deeply walking the Via Dolorosa of Our Lord Jesus Christ and developed a fondness for the people of Israel and the entire Middle East, and would pray continuously for peace in the Holy Land.

Altagracia was preceded in death by her husband: Guadalupe Torres Sr., Two Sons: Guadalupe Torres Jr. and David Torres, One daughter: Maria del Carmen, and Her Mother: Dominga Cedillo.

Altagracia is survived by Sons Juan Torres, Rogelio Torres, and Hugo Torres, and Granddaughter Brianna Bata; Daughter Dalia Luera and husband Rick Luera; grandchildren Tamara Coronado and husband Alex, Nicole Luera, and Caroline Hale and husband Jacob Hale; daughter-in-law Irma Torres; and grandchildren Javier Torres, Eduardo Torres, and Christina Torres.

Altagracia Cedillo Torres will be remembered for her: Kindness, Generosity, Spirituality and Faith in God; her Love for her husband, children, grandchildren and the entire Community of Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church Parish, the Magnolia Park Neighborhood; and her great love for the country that gave her and her family opportunity: The United States of America.

Altagracia would often shout out loud after singing a few Christian or Christmas songs: "Viva Mexico" "Viva los Estados Unidos" "Viva los Torres" "Viva los Cedillo" .... and then break out into that big laugh that everyone knew and appreciated.

A visitation for Altagracia will be held Tuesday, December 3, 2024 from 3:00 PM to 10:00 PM at Funeraria Del Angel Crespo, 2516 NAVIGATION BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77003. A rosary service will occur Tuesday, December 3, 2024 at 7:00 PM, 2516 NAVIGATION BLVD, HOUSTON, TX 77003. A funeral mass will occur Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 11:30 AM at Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, 7539 Avenue K, Houston, TX 77012. A committal service will occur Wednesday, December 4, 2024 at 1:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, Texas 77023.