Gavina Vargas Cortinaz

Gavina Vargas Cortinaz, 92, passed away on Tuesday, March 13, 2018. Gavina was born on October 6, 1925 in Hearne, Texas to Juan and Benita (Lopez) Vargas. A visitation will be held on Friday evening from 6 to 8pm at Elliott-Hamil Funeral Home, 542 Hickory Street. Services will be held at the Salvation Army Church, 1733 Poplar Street, at 11:30am on Saturday, March 13, 2018.

After a whirlwind 3 day courtship, Gavina married Frank Cortinaz and moved to Abilene in 1945. Gavina was a longtime member of the Salvation Army Church and proudly played baritone in the church band in addition to ringing bells at Christmas time. She was also a member of the Home League, League of Mercy, and worked at the Salvation Army family store.

Gavina will be remembered as an affectionate matriarch who valued taking care of her family and friends. She often showed her loved with delicious Mexican cooking and her tamales were nothing short of legendary. Gavina had a beautiful smile that shone whether she was making jokes or dancing while she cooked.

Gavina was preceded in death by her parents; her husband, Frank Cortinaz; son, Francisco Cortinaz Jr; grandson, Marty Salas; as well as brothers, Policarpio, Pablo, Tony, Joaquin, and Caldo Vargas.

She is survived by her children and their spouses, Salvation Army Major Sally and James Parrish, Ann and JD Gulley, Juaquina Contraras, Betty and Beto Medrano, Tony and Lana Cortinaz, Lupe and Martin Salas, Santiago and Carmen Cortinaz; four brothers, Maximino, Sebastian, Ignacio, Julian; and one sister, Rafaela Rojas; 19 grandchildren; 37 great grandchildren; 1 great-great granddaughter; and numerous nieces and nephews.