Olga S. Ledesma

Olga Sanchez Ledesma, beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and friend entered into eternal rest on January 18, 2013. She died at home surrounded by her loving family. She suffered with congestive heart failure and chronic kidney disease. She was born on May 15, 1921 to Oscar and Manuela (del Bosque) Sanchez in San Antonio, Texas. She is preceded in death by her parents, husband, Abel R Ledesma, brother, Jose O Sanchez, and sister, Margaret S Martinez.

Olga, aka YaYa, worked diligently even as a child, mothering her siblings, even before the early death of her mother. She kept charge of her father until his death in 1975 and cared for her husband until his death in 1990. In 1964, she went to work at St. Mary Catholic School as the cafeteria manager. She worked there many years before retiring. She never learned to drive, but loved riding the bus, which she did for over 65 years.

She loved life and, despite little formal education, was a teacher of life, disciplinarian and role model for countless people in her life. She always said there were two things needed to succeed in life: faith in God and willpower! Olga was a happy soul, spreading joy wherever she went. She loved visiting family and friends, and catered to neighbors and the sick. She was never rich with money or property; yet, her wealth ran deep. The love she shared and the friendships she maintained ran far and wide. She was a devout Catholic, faithful in prayer and service to Our Lady of Guadalupe. As a young girl, she proudly served as one of the “Hijas de Maria” at San Fernando Cathedral. After marriage, she joined St. Joseph Catholic Church (downtown) and remained a life-long member. Her stories of family life and living during the Great Depression and World War II will forever be etched in the minds of her children and grandchildren.

She will be dearly missed by those who survive her: Son, Edward A (Liz) Ledesma; Daughters, Mary M (Roy) Botello, Carmen J (Ray)Rodriguez, and Martha O (Gary) Hernandez, eight grandchildren, Edie Ann (Jake) Rugg, Edward A Ledesma II, Angela M Botello, Jessica M Botello, Christian J Rodriguez, Andrew J (Erica)Rodriguez, Marisa A (Jose) Pena and Monica L Hernandez (Albert Gonzales); nine great grandchildren, Gabrielle, Amelia, Kathryn, Hailey, Greenley, Grayson, Mia, Francesca and Alberto; sisters, Dolores S Gonzalez and Minerva S (Luis) Montemayor, sister-in-law, Maria Z Sanchez, and numerous nieces, nephews and friends.

The family wishes to thank Dr Robert Tavera and staff for over 15 years of exceptional care and VITAS Innovative Hospice for end-of-life-care.

Visitation Roy Akers Funeral Chapel, 515 N. Main, San Antonio, TX, Wednesday, January 23, 2013 at 6 pm; Rosary 7 pm. Mass of the Resurrection at St Joseph Catholic Church (downtown), 623 E. Commerce at 9 am Thursday, January 24, 2013. Interment to follow at San Fernando Cemetery #2. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in Olga’s name to St Joseph Catholic Church (downtown). Please visit www.funerariadelangelroyakers.com for online tributes.