When I googled the word 'Thanksgiving'...this is what came up: "the expression of gratitude, especially to God - he offered prayers in thanksgiving for his safe arrival".
Synonyms: reverence, revering, worshiping, veneration, and venerating.
The second definition: (in North America) an annual national holiday marked by religious observances and a traditional meal including turkey. The holiday commemorates a harvest festival celebrated by the Pilgrims in 1621, and is held in the US on the fourth Thursday in November.
So it only makes sense that this Thanksgiving, just a few days ago on November 28, 2019, Viola Ochoa received her Heavenly award as she rose up from her hospice bed and was taken to celebrate a Heavenly Feast, walking hand in hand with Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior.. A Dear Sister, Aunt, Great Aunt, and friend to may others . Viola a devout Catholic, her entire life had a deep spiritual faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Mother of our Lord, the Blessed Virgin Mary.
Viola was born in San Antonio Texas on March 15, 1935. She was one of six children born to our late Grandmother Anita Zuniga .And our late Grandfather Raymond Ochoa Sr.
At about the age of 17, Viola decided to move to Grand Rapids Michigan to be with her older sister Rose, and with her husband Jesse Zuniga Sr. and two sons Jesse Jr and Tony.
Viola because like a second mother to the Zuniga family. She took care of us when our mother was in the hospital because Mom, had four other kids. Jo Ann, Bobby, Debbie, and Steve. Back than hospital stays for birth were a lot longer than today.
It was in Grand Rapids that Vi started her career. As an 18 year old she worked at a cookie company. She than decided to receive her GED. She attended Beauty school and became a licensed Cosmetologist . She worked at one of the most popular major department stores, in the most popular mall, in Grand Rapids Michigan, where we grew up. And she excelled in her career.
In 1967 the Zuniga family made a major move to Dallas, TX. Viola would move to Dallas a year later. She opened up her own Beauty Salon in the Henderson/ Knox area just inside the Highland Park area of town. She had a very successful career, and had quite a few favorite clients. But over the years she began getting sick, And was advised by her doctor to leave the business she started and loved. Her illness may also have been because at 21, Viola was hospitalized for a severe case of Tuberculosis, when she had lived in Michigan.
She than worked for a few years for State Farm Insurance. And finished out her career working for, and retiring from the Dallas Independent School District. In the late 90's Vi was told by one of her St. Pius X Church friends, of the Infant Jesus of Prague. A site of many Pilgrimages made by Catholics to Prague Oklahoma. And because of that . The Infant Jesus became our family Saint and to this day our family continues to make Pilgrimages to honor The Infant Jesus of Prague.
My Aunt Viola will always be remembered as a very Sweet Gentle woman. As a young woman she was Beautiful but she never married. She never drove a car, but when she ever needed to go anywhere, one of us would always take her. She never had children etc So when we were younger, she became like our second Mother. Always buying us extra clothes, toys, whatever extra we may have needed. There was nothing she would not do for a friend, or any of her Brothers or Sisters, or even her nieces and nephews.
She was a big sport fan of the Dallas Cowboys, and of course, the University of Michigan (a family tradition). Because of her strong faith passed on to her by the Catholic heritage of her Mother and Grandmother, a trait her other sisters also had. She was extremely Loved and Blessed. She would earlier this year say she had lived a full wonderful life!
Viola is preceded in death by her Parents, Sisters Rose Marie Zuniga,, and Josie Solis , Brother Robert Ochoa, l Brother in Law, Jesse Zuniga Sr., Nephews Tony Zuniga, and Steven E Zuniga. Survived in death by Brothers Jesse F. Ochoa, and Raymond Ochoa Jr. Nephews Jesse Zuniga Jr, Robert Zuniga, Nieces JoAnne Zuniga DeBoer and and Debbie Zuniga Esquibel. Great Nephews Christopher Esquibel, and Michael Zuniga, and Great Niece Kimberly Esquibel. And many other numerous close Nephews, Nieces, Great Nephews and Nieces, especially from the Solis family and close Friends.
Rosary will be recited Tuesday, Dec.3, 7:30 pm 2019 at Sparkman/Crane Funeral Home in Dallas. Visitation will be from 5pm to 7:30pm .
Funeral Mass to be held the next day. Wednesday December 4, 2019 12:00 noon at St. Pius X Catholic Church, 3030 Gus Thomasson Rd. Dallas, TX 75228, Father Salvador Guzman Celebrant. Interment( of Christian Burial ) will follow at Calvary Hill Cemetery in Dallas.
Lord we will miss your Faithful Daughter Viola, but we know her Love and Devotion to you was so strong, that she will now walk with you Cancer free in Paradise. So as we held her hand this Thanksgiving, as she took her last breath. Listening to the Catholic hymn Gentle Woman. Now she holds your hand Lord .And soon Viola will be wearing a radiant new Golden crown as she walks with Jesus Christ Our Lord & Savior into the Heavenly Kingdom, where she will be with all of Heavens Angels & Saints. And her Loved ones who have gone home before her. Rest in Peace Gentle Woman.
(written by Jesse Zuniga)
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