Rafaela Mercado Toscano

Rafaela Mercado Toscano was born on October 24th, 1942 to Gervacio and Pomposa Toscano in Cerralvo, Nuevo León, Mexico. She passed away on June 29th, 2025, at the age of 82. She died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loved ones, after a struggle with cancer.

She lived in Nuevo Laredo until about the age of 32. At just 14 years old, she met and married her husband, Raul Mercado. They were married for 67 years, and July 11th would have marked their 68th wedding anniversary. Together, they raised eight children.

Rafaela is survived by her husband, Raul Mercado, and her children: Rosa Amelia Rivera, Raul Mercado Jr., Maria Isabel Cruz, Blanca Estella Zavala, Adriana Balderas, Arturo Mercado, and Ricardo Mercado. She is also survived by her brothers and sisters, 23 grandchildren and 47 great-grandchildren. She is preceded in death by her parents, Gervacio and Pomposa Toscano, and her son, Juan Manuel Mercado, who passed away in 2022.

We will cherish the beautiful and loving memories we shared with her for many years to come. She will be greatly missed and forever remembered in our hearts.

A funeral service will be held for Rafaela Mercado Toscano at Laurel Land Funeral Home & Laurel Land Memorial Park on Thursday, July 10th, 2025, from 4:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. Visitation will follow on Friday, July 11th, 2025, at 10:00 a.m.