Antonia Maria Olvera Mendez

Antonia Olvera Méndez, known to her friends and family as “María,” was called to be with her Lord on October 30, 2010. She died peacefully at her home with her family by her side. She was born in Tula, Tamaulipas, México, the second child of Secundino Olvera and Hermelinda Vásquez. She was a loving and caring wife and mother who devoted her life to supporting her husband, Antonio, and their large family. She found strength in her unwavering Catholic faith. She lived her life with uncommon grace and dignity, from the hardships of early life as an immigrant to the U.S., to supporting her children’s accomplishments and education, to proudly becoming a U.S. citizen, to not letting her illness overcome her. She gave of herself completely. She was preceded in death by her brother, Jesús Rodríguez; grandson, Mark Anthony Juárez; and son-in-law, Robert Robbins. She is survived by her husband of over 62 years, Antonio Méndez; brother, Alfredo Castillo Vásquez (Delia); also, her sons and daughters-in-law, Adan, Eliazar (Tina), Manuel (Margaret), Eduardo (Earlene), Maurilio (Rosemary), Emilio (Lupe), Alberto (María), Miguel (Peggy), Alfredo (Jennifer) and Arturo (Kimberly); daughters and sons-in-law, María Elena (Robert), Anita (Mario), Virginia (Joe) and Elvia (Ernest); 24 grandchildren; and 17 great-grandchildren.

Rosary will be recited at 7:00 p.m. on Tuesday at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S. Congress. Funeral mass will be celebrated at 10:00 a.m. on Wednesday at San José Catholic Church. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery. Pallbearers and honorary pallbearers are her sons.

The family would like to thank Hospice Austin, and Heidi in particular, for their professionalism, patience and kindness, as well as our extended family members and friends.

Amada esposa y madre, nuestro amor no pudo guardar la vida, pero siempre vivirás en nuestros corazones.