Magdalena Valdez

Magdalena Maria Valdez, age 87, of San Antonio, TX passed away peacefully on March 31, 2023. She was born in Nayarit, Mexico on July 22, 1935, the daughter of Salvador and Maria Benita Valdez. Magdalena moved to the United States at a young age where she lived with her mother and two sisters in Laguna Beach, California, where she attended St. Barbara Catholic High School, after which she went to finish her studies at Santa Ana College and Orange Coast College in California. Magdalena pursued a career in dress and wedding gown design and managed the family business, Gowns by Valdez in Santa Ana.

Magdalena met her life-long love and husband, Frank M. Valdez, an architect from San Antonio, TX, in Laguna Beach, California during one of Frank’s many trips to California as the national President of the League of United Latin American Citizens. Magdalena and Frank were married on April 28, 1962 in Laguna Beach and made their home in San Antonio where she became a Texan and started and raised a family of four children. She and her husband were happily married for 42 years.

Magdalena loved San Antonio and was an active member in the community. She was a member of the Optimist Club, San Antonio Symphony Women’s League, Arts Council, Sembradores de Amistad President in 1975, Assistance Guild, Friends of the McNay, Lamplighters, Honorary member of LULAC, and was on the board of the YWCA, San Antonio Museum Association, Southwest Foundation Forum, and the Opera Guild. Although Magdalena was a talented dress and wedding gown designer and an active member of her community in San Antonio, her true passion was her family. She enjoyed spending time with her grandkids, traveling, entertaining and socializing with all her friends. She had a smile and a laugh that would light up any room.

Magdalena was preceded in death by her mother, Maria Benita Valdez, husband, Frank M. Valdez and her son, Lance O. Valdez. She is survived by her partner later in life, Roland R. Vidal; her children: Frank M. Valdez Jr, Janina Valdez Solomon, Damian Omar Valdez; her grandchildren: Jordan Maria Valdez, Taylor Anna Valdez, Sasha P. Valdez, Natalia P. Valdez, Lance P. Valdez, and Harrison Valdez Solomon; and her sisters: Connie Ruelas and Lucila Myers.

A Memorial Service will be held on Saturday, April 29th at 10:30 am in the Sunset Funeral Home Chapel. May she rest in peace.