Consuelo Zapien

Born and raised in a close-knit Houston family, Connie was the older of two children. A lifelong Houstonian, as a young girl, Connie enjoyed many activities, such as being in a Girl Scout troop, where her mother served as an Assistant Troop Leader, roller skating lessons, where she excelled at doing choreographed dances, and baton-twirling lessons. Connie even taught her little sister, Hope, how to do a basic baton twirl, much to Hope’s delight.

In high school, Connie displayed her musical talents by joining the girls’ drum and dance team—the Milby Co-Ed Cadets—and played the snare drum during performances on the football field. She was also a member of the Austin High School Girls’ Rifle Team in JROTC, and would shoot in competitions.

And as a young adult, Connie took on the challenge of learning Taekwondo karate, where she mastered some pretty mean kicks and was awarded the purple belt.

Connie’s career as an Administrative Coordinator spanned many years, as part of the team of hospitals, research centers, and universities in the Texas Medical Center, most recently being at the UT MD Anderson Cancer Center. She retired from there in 2024.

Connie is preceded in death by her beloved son, Michael Pedraza, and by her parents, Margarita and Joe Gilbert Medellin.

She is survived by her loving children: Marina (David) Grasso, Joseph David Pedraza, James Robert Pedraza, Andrew (Elvira) Pedraza, Valerie (Michael) Guerrero, and Matthew Zapien; as well as her many grandchildren. She is also survived by her devoted sister, Hope Medellin Garcia, and her husband, Reinaldo Garcia, along with their children, extended family, and friends who will forever hold her memory close.

Connie will be deeply missed, forever loved, and always remembered.

A visitation will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, on December 17, 2025, from 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm.

The funeral service will take place at the same venue on December 18, 2025, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm.

Following the funeral service, a committal service will be held at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, at 2:00 pm.