Dora Lydia Avilez

Born Dora Lydia Mendez; known as ‘Lillie,’ to family, quietly and peacefully departed to join her family on July 29, 2025. She was 95 years old. It is appropriate to use the famous Sinatra saying, “I did it my way”, when reflecting on Dora’s lifetime. She approached life with her unique methods, operating on her terms, with strong individuality and style. She chose not to conform and made her own decisions, weighing choices that were best for her and her daughter, Vicki.

A native Houstonian, she was born December 29, 1929, at 2:00 am. The youngest of eight siblings. She embraced her position in the family and demonstrated a vibrant, determined and progressive life. She was highly motivated and set her sights on providing a comfortable and refined lifestyle for her and her beloved daughter, Vicki. Dora embraced her young life and participated in several activities at Milby High School, namely the Drill Team. She recognized at an early age how important business acumen and education was in securing future employment and reaching life goals. She was known for being diligent in maintaining a polished, professional and modern appearance. She graduated from Milby in 1949 and attended college courses while working part-time.

She accomplished a career goal when selected as one of eight secretaries for the newly opened NASA Center in Clear Lake. This position led her to a successful forty-year career as an administrative assistant/secretary in the legal, aerospace and, oil & gas industry. She had several other distinguished stops during her career including the US Federal Courts and Conoco-Phillips. Her professionalism, work ethic and mastery of language and grammar were well known to all her colleagues.

She was preceded in death by her beloved daughter, Victoria Duran and her husband, Frank. She is survived by her grandchildren, Robert Ruiz and his wife, Diana and Nicholas Duran and his wife, Rachel; her great-grandchildren, Pablo Campos, Stephanie Ruiz, Vianett Campos, Robert Ruiz Jr, Christian Ruiz, Ryan Arredondo and Leah Duran along with numerous extended family members.

Her mother, Josephine Mendez, whom she deeply loved, and where she undoubtedly inherited her mother’s endurance, fortitude, innovation and love of style, died in the early 70’s. Her father, Louis Mendez, died in 1959. Her brothers Henry, Jesse, Louis Jr and sister’s Jane, Isabel, Lucia, and Faye have all preceded her in death.

Dora helped to introduce discipline, style and arts to those closest to her. She understood the importance of quality and the lasting beauty of it. She was fond of working in her garden and planting flowers – her yards were regularly showcased in the neighborhood newsletters. She enjoyed Sunday’s attending church mass at St. Vincent de Paul and then afterwards drinking her coffee and reading the newspaper from front to end at home. She loved desserts and chocolate and would go regularly to La Madeleine and Three Brothers Bakery near her

house. After she retired, she continued to work part-time, continuing to learn on her computer, enjoyed watching drama shows and seeing her grandchildren.

Funeral service will be held Friday, August 8, 2025, at Forest Park Lawndale at 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023 at 10 am. The Rite of Committal service will take place at 11 am at the same location.