Born on March 19, 1928, in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico, to Almaquio Cardenas and Concepcion Medrano Cardenas, Josefina lived a long and fulfilling life guided by family, faith and strength. In 1949, she married Erasto Garza and together they built a beautiful family.
Josefina was a devoted wife, a loving mother, a cherished grandmother, and a beloved great-grandmother. Throughout her life, Josefina was known for her strength, intellect, and kindness, as well as her unwavering devotion to her family. An avid reader and lover of cinema, she also found joy in prayer and mental pursuits such as solitaire, mahjong, and puzzles—pastimes that kept her sharp and content throughout her years. Above all, her greatest joy came from her family, who were her proudest accomplishment. Her enduring spirit and generous heart touched everyone who knew her.
Josefina is survived by her children: Marisella G de Torres [Roberto Torres], Diana M Gonzalez, Mayda Olleros, Luis E Garza, and Graciela L. Hernandez [Marco Hernandez]. She was preceded in death by her husband, Erasto Garza; her son, Jose I. Garza; her parents, Almaquio Cardenas and Concepcion Medrano Cardenas; and her siblings Ramiro, Juanita, Guadalupe, Raul, Almaquio, and Jose Luis Cardenas.
She is also survived by her grandchildren: Jose I. Garza Jr. [Adriana de Garza], David Garza, Gabriel Garza, Moises Garza [Sally de Garza], Roberto Torres Jr. [Ashanty de Torres], Daniella Nicholson [Andre Nicholson], Raul Gonzalez, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Rodrigo Garza, Ana Olleros, Luis E. Garza Jr. [Karen Silva], Abraham Garza, Samantha Garza, Felizzia Garza [Taylor Hickson], Lucia Garza, Nicole Benavides [Joseph Benavides], Jose F. Llamas, Pedro Llamas [Rebekah Crouch-Llamas], and Marcela Swinney [Lance Swinney]; as well as her nine great-grandchildren and various nieces and nephews.
Visitation will be open to the public and held at Buena Vista Funeral Home on Sunday, November 9, 2025 from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m with the vigil beginning at 6:00pm. Mass will be held on Monday, November 10, 2025 at Mary Mother of the Church, 1914 Barnard Rd, Brownsville, Texas, from 2:00 p.m. to 2:45 p.m with interment to follow at Buena Vista Burial Park.
Josefina will be deeply missed, but her love, faith, and strength will live on through the family she cherished so dearly.