Norma C. Mendez

As the sun gently rose on August 18, 2024, our precious and beloved Norma Concepcion Mendez passed away peacefully, surrounded by her most cherished loved ones: her daughter Gabriella Saldana Casas, her son-in-law Juan Carlos Casas, her mother Manuela Mendez, her sisters, only brother, two brothers-in-law, and loving nephew. In her final moments, as Norma prepared to reunite with God, her family gathered in unity, praying the Our Father with her one last time.

Norma's passing leaves an immense void in our lives, as there is truly no one like her. Her joy and zest for life were infectious, leaving a lasting mark on everyone who knew her. Once Norma became a part of your life, she stayed with you forever.

Born on December 8, 1956, in Corpus Christi, Texas, to Pablo and Manuela Mendez, As the baby of the family, she was adored and spoiled by her family. Even as a child, her adventurous spirit was clear—she was destined to take risks and seek a life full of love and fulfillment. In 1985, Norma made the bold decision to move from Corpus Christi to her forever home in San Antonio, where she worked as a lease analyst with Toshiba Solutions. She quickly became a “treMendez” and treasured member of the Toshiba family, admired for her leadership and as the go-to employee.

Norma filled the gaps in our lives with her joy, laughter, and spontaneous “let’s go” attitude. She was always ready for adventure, whether it was a road trip to Las Vegas through the Grand Canyon, late-night drives to Pernitas Point, or early morning treks to Haleakala Volcano, and karaoke nights at Who's Who with Gabby and Juan were also a favorite. In addition to her love for adventure, Norma was the family reporter, and you could always count on her to keep everyone informed, whether it was about weather updates or the latest in sports. She was our own personal sportscaster, always the first to send a “Did you see that block?” text or to cheer on her favorite teams, especially the Spurs and UTSA Roadrunners.

Norma was also a constant celebrator of life. She made it a point to attend as many Fiesta San Antonio events as possible, often buying tickets for family and friends to enjoy the Fiesta Flambeau Parade together. Weekend drives to the Texas Hill Country wineries and fall trips to New Braunfels to enjoy the cheers of “Prost!” at Wurstfest were part of her annual traditions. Her enthusiasm for the San Antonio Spurs and UTSA Roadrunners was unmatched, as she cheered loudly from the stands or her chair, always making her presence known.

Music was another driving force in Norma's life, especially the tunes of The Mavericks. Whenever inspiration struck, she'd eagerly declare, "Booba, let’s go see The Mavericks! Call Odie, call Gabby, call Randa! Don’t forget Veto!"

As the seasons changed, so did Norma’s way of life, but one thing remained constant: her unwavering ability to celebrate life and bring joy to others. From the moment you stepped into her home, you could feel her warmth and love. She put so much care into making her home a sanctuary, a place where everyone felt unconditionally loved, celebrated, and protected. Over time, with practice and guidance, Norma developed a green thumb, transforming her backyard into a beautiful oasis—a talent that will be lovingly carried on by her daughter Gabby. Norma also shared an unbreakable bond with her beloved dog, Xena. Their daily 3-mile walks were cherished moments, always keeping a watchful eye on the deer along the way.

Above all, Norma's greatest joy and proudest achievement was being a spectacular mother to Gabby. Their deep bond was admired by everyone, a shining example of a mother-daughter relationship built on love and mutual respect. But, Gabby and Norma are far more than just mother and daughter, they are truly each other’s best friend. Beginning at a very young age, Gabby always knew she could come to Norma for anything, something that lasts to this very day, and something Gabby will teach her future children. From their trips to the South Texas beaches and weekend getaways at the lake house, to the quiet moments spent listening to music while Gabby prepared for her bar exam, their time together was filled with cherished memories.

Norma is predeceased by her father Pablo Mendez Sr., her nephew Paul Joseph Mendez, her niece Melissa Gray, and her grandparents Amado and Jesusita Mendez. She is survived by her daughter and son-in-law, Gabriella Saldana Casas and Juan Carlos Casas; her loyal companion Xena; her mother Manuela Mendez; her brother Pablo Mendez Jr. and his wife Dalia; and her sisters Janie Anguiano and husband Robert, Dolores Mendez, Lupita Gray and husband Stuart, and Odilia Paiz and husband Ernesto. She also leaves behind her special nieces and nephews.

The family will receive guests from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, September 19, 2024, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

ROSARYTHURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 19, 20247:30 P.M.PORTER LORING MORTUARY1101 MCCULLOUGH AVE

MASSFRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 20, 202410:00 A.M.ST. MATTHEW CATHOLIC CHURCH10703 WURZBACH RD