Cecilia Marie Bengele

Cecilia Marie Bengele (née Boecker), age 92, passed away on August 14, 2024, in San Antonio, Texas. Born on September 15, 1931, in Weslaco, Texas, Cecilia dedicated her life to education and service, embodying kindness, creativity, and a deep commitment to her faith.

Cecilia cherished her upbringing on her parents' farm in Weslaco, Texas in the Rio Grande Valley, where she developed a lifelong love for nature and family. Her childhood memories included picking Ruby Red grapefruits as an after-school snack, playing amongst the corn rows and collecting eggs from her dad's prized chickens. She loved playing with her 2 brothers, and then finally at age 8, she was blessed with her sister whom she named Dorothy and remained close to throughout her life.

Cecilia's educational journey began at St. Joan of Arc in Weslaco, Texas, and continued through Incarnate Word Academy in San Antonio, where she earned a Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education. While in college, one serendipitous day, she peered out her dorm window to watch for her brother, Bernard. He was in the Army and was coming for a visit. She caught sight of him and his friend in uniforms and rushed out to meet them. But lo and behold, they were both complete strangers! Hiding her embarrassment, she offered to show them around campus and soon she was dating and then married Florian “Bud” Bengele - the one she had mistaken for her brother's friend. The couple married in Weslaco in January 1956 and then settled in Houston where they raised 5 children. Bud loved to tell the story of their meeting, and he fondly remembered Cecilia as a "cheap date" due to her penchant for grilled cheese sandwiches at Abel's Restaurant near her college campus. Stories like these brought smiles and laughter to family gatherings. When raising their children, besides imparting Christian values, she and Bud respected individual differences and encouraged each child to think and act for her or himself. She wrote in her autobiography, “And that they did!”

Cecilia shared her love of learning with countless students as a respected teacher at St. Joan of Arc in Weslaco where in her autobiography she recalled “teaching mainly the wonderful children of migratory laborers.” She also taught at St. Francis Cabrini and St. Francis de Sales, both in Houston.

Cecilia's creative and generous spirit shone through her hobbies, which included making pillows for the homeless, sewing, quilting, gardening and cake decorating. Cecilia was renowned for her Thanksgiving bread stuffing and spinach balls. She led a local Girl Scout troop and hosted three foreign exchange students from Scotland, England, and France, enriching her family's life with diverse cultural experiences. Cecilia enjoyed the simplicity of good company, whether playing games like Scrabble, cards and dominoes, or getting together with very good friends from her Bible Study group and Red Hat Club.

In their later years, Bud and Cecilia settled in Helotes, Texas, near San Antonio, the city close to their hearts. A devout Catholic, Cecilia was an active member of Our Lady of Guadalupe Church in Helotes, where she served as President of the Altar Society. Her faith was a cornerstone of her existence, guiding her actions and interactions with everyone she met.

Cecilia spent her last couple of years at Freedom House Memory Care Center where her beloved yellow butterfly bench followed her. While there, her intense love of bananas became legendary, and she relished sharing memories of growing up on her parents' farm and living in the dorms at Incarnate Word. Here is what she wrote about her last day of college:

“A group of us, sitting on the steps of the auditorium shared sentimental thoughts on this, our graduation day. A classmate drove up in a car. We jumped in, lit up cigarettes and rode through the park. Alas! Smoking! And leaving campus without permission!

What a way to ruin an almost perfect four-year record of obedience!”

Remembered as a loving mother, grandmother, and sister, Cecilia's legacy of warmth, generosity, and dedication to her community will be cherished by all who knew her.

She is survived by her children, Catherine Ward (Gregory) of Laconia, N.H., Rosemary Bengele Sater (Steven) of Los Angeles, Ca., Patricia Bengele of Helotes, Tx., Elizabeth Bengele (Greg Pappas) of Dracut, Ma., and Michael Bengele (Ann) of San Antonio, Tx.; grandsons, Mathew Ward of Laconia, N.H., Samuel Bengele of Helotes, Tx., Jackson Bengele of San Antonio, Tx., and Oliver Bengele of College Station, Tx; sister, Dorothy Becker of Galveston, Tx.; step granddaughters, Celina Wesneski (Addam) of Lake Elsinore, Ca., and Marinn Sater of Delray Beach, Fl., many nephews, nieces, and cousins, and her faithful canine companion, Charlie. She reunites in Heaven with her husband, Florian “Bud” Bengele; infant son, David Bengele; parents Elizabeth and August Boecker; and brothers, Bernard and Joseph Boecker.

Memorial donations may be directed in her name to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. https://olghelotes.org/online-giving

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