Ernestina Cantu, 89, loving and devoted spouse, mother, grandmother, great grandmother, aunt and sister went to be with the Lord on Wednesday, September 5, 2018, at Valley Baptist Medical Center surrounded by all of her loving family.
Left behind to eternally treasure her memories are her devoted and loving family: Yolanda Gutierrez (Eloy), Estella Delgado (Kevin), Ted Cantu (Jovie), Belinda Cantu, Amado Cantu (Monica), Cynthia Cantu, 13 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Ernestina is preceded in death of her husband, Amado; mother Concha Rivera; father, Pedro Rivera; sisters Margie Solis and Irene Cantu; brother Pete Rivera and granddaughter Christina Trevino.
Ernestina lovingly known as "Tina" was born and raised in Brownsville, Texas. Upon completion of her GED, Tina worked as a Unit Secretary at McAllen Medical Center, followed by her employment as a Floor Manager for the Levis Strauss pant factory in Brownsville, Texas. Tina retired after 16 years of employment as a Para professional and then Secretary with the Brownsville Independent School District. Tina's retirement came after her tenure of 16 years at El Jardin Elementary School.
Tina loved everyone she met and established long lasting relationships with coworkers, teachers, principals, parents and children.
When her children were of school age, Tina made many lemon meringue pies for the PTA meetings where she served as President of the PTA for Castro Elementary in Mission, Texas. Guests were always greeted by a batch of the most delicious homemade oatmeal cookies which, she also loved to make. After church, everyone looked forward to a warm and comforting meal at her house where she often prepared a delicious meal. Her meals included a large baked ham, pork chops, or fajitas with all the trimmings. She welcomed and fed everyone that visited. Thanksgiving was her favorite season for gathering everyone at her table with warm comforting food made with tender loving care.
Gardening was another hobby she loved and inspired her sons and daughters to also love and appreciate the plants, trees and flowers that were native to the area.
Tina was a very smart lady of many talents. Tina self-taught herself to sew, as a hobby she so much loved. She made many beautiful baby blankets, aprons, nurses' surgical caps, pillow covers, chair covers and curtains. If she or anyone needed it; Tina made it! For a short time, she also took on the hobby of water color painting.
After her retirement, Tina enjoyed going to garage sales and estate sales. We all have several keepsakes or antiques of value that Tina lovingly haggled to buy for us. She made so many friends enjoying her favorite pass time.
Tina also left her family a deep love for our Lord Jesus Christ and our Blessed Mother. For many years while raising her family, Tina was a catholic catechist with the Immaculate Conception Church in Brownsville Texas. Tina made sure all the kids attended what was called CCD classes weekly and prepared to receive all of their holy sacraments. Her last breath was sure to be with the recitation of the holy rosary which she prayed unceasingly for all of her children, grandchildren and anyone that asked her for prayer. We were so proud to call her our Mother, our grandma, our pillar, our matriarch! She will be greatly missed!
Funeral Services will be held Friday, September 7th, at Del Angel Buena Vista Funeral Home in Brownsville, Texas. Viewing will be from 10am to 9pm, for visitation. Memoriam will be at 6pm, and Rosary from 7pm to 9pm. Mass of Resurrection will be held on Saturday, September 8, 2018 at 1:00 pm, at St. Luke's Catholic Church. Burial will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park, Brownville, Texas. Pallbearers will include: Eric Gutierrez, Eloy Gutierrez Jr., Alex Pena, Bobby Rivera, Kevin Jensen, and Emmanuel Ramirez.
The family wishes to express their most sincere gratitude and appreciation to Dr. Castillo, Henrietta Peynado RN, Dr. Evans, Dr. Flores, and all the other doctors and nurses in MICU that cared for Tina while at Valley Baptist Medical Center.
