Thelma Villanueva Gavin

Thelma Villanueva Gavin born in 1931 in Hondo, Texas to Roberto and Carolina Zuniga Villanueva and married for 60 years to William Patrick Gavin, died Wednesday, July 6, 2011 at home in San Antonio, Texas.

Spanish was her first language but at the age of seven she acquired English and went on to be a reporter for The Southside Recorder upon graduation from Fox Tech High School.

Marriage to Bill Gavin took her to New York City where she raised her family, taught at risk high school girls, was a translator for the first wave of Cuban refugees.

She was secretary at the Brick Church her upper Eastside neighborhood. It was in this neighborhood where she began political activities on behalf of the Democratic Party. Returning to San Antonio, Thelma was active in many diverse fields on local, state, and political levels. She was a member of Governor Dolph Briscoe's Commission on Service to Children and Youth and San Antonio Mayor's Commission on the Status of Women. She was also a member of the Bexar County Women's Political Caucus. Thelma was Administrator of Archives for Bexar County, and main receptionist for Valero Energy. In addition, she worked with Nelson Wolf, and State Senator Frank Lombardino. Twice a Delegate to the National Democratic Convention, she proudly represented Texas.

In 1979, Thelma was Mother of the Year for the state of Texas. Previous to this award, she had been named Mother of the Year by the Children's Aid Society in 1965. Among her numerous awards and honors she was honored by the National Hispanic Institute as an outstanding Hispanic leader and she was awarded the Yellow Rose of Texas for contributions to community affairs and was named Ambassador of Goodwill by the State of Texas. She was a member of The Salvation Army, the San Antonio Desk and Derrick, International Good Neighbor Council and Valero Vanguard.

In her retirement, she was a well known folk artist and participated in many shows and worked out of her daughter Pat's business, Gavin Metalsmith.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Roberto Villanueva and Carolina Zuniga; sister, Marie Villanueva, and brother, Jesse Villanueva.

Thelma is survived by her loving husband of 60 years, William Patrick Gavin; children, Patricia Lynn Gavin, Karen Gavin Yarbrough and husband, Mike, William James Patrick Gavin and Barry Edward Gavin; her siblings, Caroline Hahn and husband, Robert, Cipriano Villanueva, Irene Villanueva, Robert R. Villanueva, Jr. and wife, Minnie, Lydia Hernandez and Pearl Faultey and husband, John and sister-in-law Rita Gavin. She was a well loved Aunt to many nieces and nephews and a friend to many people.

The family would like to thank Dr. Ronald Hamner and staff, Mary Carranza and Dr. Rowland Reyna and staff.

Visitation will be held on Tuesday, July 12, 2011 from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at Porter Loring.

ROSARY

TUESDAY

JULY 12, 2011

7:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

SERVICE

WEDNESDAY

JULY 13, 2011

12:00 P.M.

PORTER LORING CHAPEL

Interment in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers memorial contributions may be made to Cima Hospice Care.