Margarita Quiroz de Saenz lived a full life, surrounded by people who loved her. Her circle of family and friends stretched wide and spanned generations. She is preceded in death by her parents. Isidro Quiroz and Francisca Cuellar de Quiroz, her husband Hector P. Saenz, her son Jesus Q. Saenz, her sister Dora Q. Laredo and her three brothers Manuel Quiroz, Sostenes Quiroz, and Isidro Quiroz. To cherish her memory Margarita leaves behind six adult children and their spouses as follows, Maria F. Garcia & Juan P. Garcia, Maria Margarita Mendoza & Pablo Mendoza, Hector P. Saenz Jr. & Linda Alonzo Saenz, Maria del Carmen Rodriguez & David James Rodriguez, Rosa Elia Smith & Shawn Smith, Hilda Besa & Gualberto Besa; 19 grandchildren, 15 great-grandchildren, one sister Maria Guadalupe Quiroz de Flores & Margarito Flores, her sister in law-Cruz Quiroz, along with many nieces and nephews.
As a young woman in her early twenties, Margarita worked as a seamstress in Laredo Texas. However, it was soon after that she met a young man Hector P. Saenz at a little plaza in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico who would win her heart and become her husband and partner in life. Hector and Margarita were united in marriage on December 30, 1949. The young couple moved from Nuevo Laredo, Mexico to begin their new life and family in Monterrey, Nuevo Leon, Mexico. The new Mrs. Saenz excelled in her new role as a wife and homemaker. After giving birth to a son Jesus, and then a daughter Maria Francisca the young family left Monterrey and migrated to the United States, a third child was born during this period. She was given the name of Maria Margarita. The family made their way north and eventually settled in Houston, Texas. As the years passed, the family grew larger with births of four more children Hector Jr., Maria Del Carmen, Rosa Elia and Hilda, Margarita stayed home and raised the children while Hector worked for the southern pacific railroad. In the 1960’s, the family moved to 901 Brooks Street, and then opened the Saenz grocery store. Margarita continued her role as homemaker, wife and mother but added grocery store attendant to her description.
With the growth of the family, a larger, more accommodating home was needed; and, the family moved to a larger home 1610 Chestnut, located right next door to the 901 brooks property. The family thrived as the children grew and attended school. Even after the children grew up, married and started their own families, the Saenz family home at 1610 Chestnut continued to be home base for the entire family with mom and dad as the heads of the family. The door was always open to everyone in the family.
After hector Sr. passed away in 1987, Margarita continued as the head of the house welcoming all of us to her home. It didn’t matter to her if she was cooking for a special event such as a birthday party serving up to more than 30 people, or cooking lunch for everyone after Sunday church. She loved it and never complained. Holidays such as Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve were especially cherished among the family. She would finish cooking and then sit at the table with a large smile on her face as she watched the gifts being passed out to everyone. Margarita enjoyed showering all her grandchildren with gifts.
In her later years, when margarita was no longer babysitting her grandchildren as much, she enjoyed spending time with her sisters Dora and Lupita, her sister-in-law Cruz, and her cousin Pepa. She loved watering her plants and flowers, feeding stray cats and dogs, watching Spanish novelas, playing bingo, shopping at fiesta, and making and selling tamales during the winter time.
Margarita served generously as a Guadalupana and Eucharistic Minister at Holy Name Catholic Church. She attended mass on a regular basis; and enjoyed attending and socializing with senior citizens groups in the Near Northside Neighborhood. She especially enjoyed going to the Wesly House on a regular basis.
Margarita was known by many different names and titles. Some people called her Miss Saenz. Some called her Mague, Mom, Grandma, Abuelita or even Wilita. The Lord has called her his most precious and beloved daughter. Regardless of what she is called, she was loved by us all and will be greatly missed.
