Olivia Gloria Alcantar

Olivia Gloria Alcantar, affectionately known as “Nana,” passed away unexpectedly at her home on Sunday, April 5, 2026. Born on April 27, 1943, in Dallas, Texas, she leaves behind a legacy of love, resilience, and joy.

Nana spent her formative years in Dallas, with a memorable childhood marked by time spent living with her grandfather in Corpus Christi. As the eldest of nine half-siblings, she embraced a nurturing role, helping to raise her younger brothers and sisters.

Her teenage years were spent at Thomas Jefferson High School, where her vibrant spirit began to shine. It was during this time that she met her husband, Julian, at a dance—an event that defined the start of a beautiful and loving marriage. Dancing was one of her favorite pastimes, and she loved racing fast cars. She was somewhat of a wild child.

Gloria married Julian Alcantar on September 30, 1961, and together they raised five children: Michael, Joseph, Julie, Rebecca, and Christopher. Her family was her greatest treasure, and she took immense pride in being a grandmother to three grandchildren—Christopher, Sunder, and Zachary—and two great-grandchildren, Julian and Christopher.

In her early career, Nana embraced the world of fashion and beauty, working at Titches Department Store in Downtown Dallas. She later became a cocktail waitress at the Fairmont Hotel, where she had the opportunity to meet many notable personalities, including working alongside the actress Raquel Welch.

After having children, Nana worked in the grocery store industry as an assistant manager until her early fifties and retired from Minyard’s in Lakewood. While working for Minyard, she made many lifelong friends, and she also mentored several young high school students from Woodrow Wilson, who considered her their second mom.

In her early retirement, Nana devoted herself to raising her grandchildren, Sunder and Zach. She also cared for her husband Julian, who was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s. Married for 54 years, Nana often expressed that he was the love of her life, treating her like royalty, and she was lovingly referred to as "My Queen" by her granddaughter, Sunder.

A devoted member of St. Edward and St. Monica Catholic Church, Nana taught CCD classes alongside Julian, who served as choir director for the children’s Mass. Nana was not only Catholic, but her children teased her and called her “Gangster” Catholic. Her faith was a cornerstone of her life; her home radiated with religious symbols, showcasing her deep devotion. There were crosses in every room and not just one. Her home was adorned with a multitude of the Blessed Mother statues and pictures. She regularly attended daily Mass until mobility challenges made it difficult. Nana was an active member of the Legion of Mary and the Catholic Daughters at St. Monica’s, dedicating her time to charity work and visiting nursing homes, hospitals, and the homebound to provide communion. Known as a prayer warrior, she was often sought out by friends and family for her intercessions, as she cultivated a reputation for having a special connection with God. She thrived in this environment, and it is befitting that she passed on Easter, the holiest day of the year.

Nana’s favorite pastime was being with family & friends, and she adored having fun, anytime, anywhere, hence her FOMO (“Fear of Missing Out”). She was a Facebook and Amazon fein. There was a package at the door every day as she got to know the Amazon and UPS drivers. Packages are still being delivered today.

Her family’s pastime was teasing her about her pronunciation of certain words, which became a source of humor and love. She would pronounce “Italian” as “Eye-talian,” or “Greg” would be “Craig,” “Henry” would be “Hendry,” and a slew of other words. Lately, she developed a liking for K-Dramas, and she was learning phonetic Korean. One of the words she learned was “eomeoni” (mother). On her text signoff, she would spell “oh-my-knee.” Hello is “annye-ongh-aseyo,” and her greeting would be “onion-on-sell.”

Nana was a radiant spirit who made friends wherever she went. Her ability to connect with others created a vibrant community around her. She lived a full life, but if you asked her, she would say it was cut short.

Nana is preceded in death by her father, Ernest Zuniga; her mother, Anita Phillips; her half-siblings, Tommy Joe English, Ernest “Neno” Zuniga, Pasty Lavender, Betty Lou DeLeon, Ernestine Molina, and Cindy Rojas; her beloved husband, Julian C. Alcantar; and her two sons, Joseph and Christopher Alcantar. She is survived by her sisters, Irene Palomo, Tina Silva, and Denise Gonzalez; her son, Michael Zuniga; daughters, Julie Wray and Rebecca Alcantar; her daughters-in-law, Carol Alcantar and Michelle Tribble; her son-in-law, Marcus Wray; grandchildren, Christopher, Sunder, Zachary Alcantar, Nathan and Kyle Rubio, Emily Bourisaw Brian Bergthal, and Gary Bourisaw, Jr.; her two great-grandchildren, Julian and Christopher Alcantar; and many nieces and nephews too numerous to name.

Her pallbearers are Christopher Alcantar, Zachary Alcantar, Danny Zuniga, Marcus Wray, Nathan Rubio, Kyle Rubio, and Joey Garza.

In remembrance of Nana, the family invites those who knew her to celebrate her life by raising their favorite drink in her honor—whether it be a Mombo Taxi or a white wine spritzer, both of which were among her favorites.

All Funeral Services are on Tuesday, April 14, 2026

St. Monica Catholic Church: 9933 Midway Rd., Dallas, Texas 75220

Visitation: 10:00 am

Holy Rosary: 10:30 am

Funeral Memorial Mass: 11:00 am

Reception: 1:00 pm

Interment and Committal Service: 12:00 pm

Calvary Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery: 3235 Lombardy Ln., Dallas, Texas 75220