Paula Aguilar Garza was born on June 20, 1912, in Leesville, Louisiana to Juan Bonifacio Aguilar Arredondo and Maria Piedad Marquez Rodriguez. After coming to Houston at a young age, she attended Hawthorne and Dow Elementary schools. She attended Central High School and, although she did not graduate, she did receive her GED in 1998 at the age of 84.
On March 9, 1930, Paula and Margarito DeAnda Garza were married at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church in Houston. Paula was the proud mother of Delfina Ruiz(deceased), Alice Herrera, Terri Hernandez, Olga Cano(deceased), Bill Garza, Jorge Garza, Damiana Zuckero, Rudy Garza, Gene Garza, Vangie Robertson, Yolanda Garza, Irene Cabrera, Robert Garza and John Garza. She had 40 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren, 64 great-great grandchildren and 1 great-great-great grandchild. In 1986, Margarito passed away after 56 years of marriage. She was also predeceased by one grandchild, Roy C. Espinosa.
Paula was a founding member of St. Stephen’s Catholic Church and continued to be a faithful parishioner and supporter after more than 70 years. She became involved in parish organizations, joining the Guadalupanas in the late 1930’s as well as the Sacred Heart Society and the Altar Society. As her family grew, and as a stay-at-home mother, she became a member of the Mother’s Club of St. Joseph grammar school. She stressed to her children that education was very important. She stayed involved in her children’s activities at St. Joseph until the last child who attended the school had graduated the eighth grade. She was also a member of the St. Thomas High School Mother’s Club from 1952 to 1962. In 1964, Contract Drapery employed her where she sewed custom-made draperies retiring in 1981.
In 1969, Paula joined the Catholic Daughters of Court 234 in the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. She also joined the Council of Catholic Women and in 2007, was named the “Woman of the Year” representing the Central Deanery of the Council of Catholic Women.
Being a devout Catholic, Paula attended Mass every Sunday and holy days. She led the recitation of the rosary before the 8 o’clock Mass on Sundays and was often asked to lead the rosary at funeral vigils for family, friends and acquaintances.
Her favorite pastimes included attending the meetings of the organizations to which she belonged, reading, crocheting, sewing, gardening, making tamales, playing games on her computer and solving crossword puzzles and word searches. In the evening as well as during the day, you could find her saying her prayers in which she said she prayed for all her family. Her strong faith, her special devotion to Our Lady of Guadalupe, and devotion to her family were the mainstay of the Garza family.
Paula Aguilar Garza was truly an amazing Mother and an inspiration, not only to her family, but also to all who knew her.
Family to receive friends on Wednesday, March 21, 2018 from 5:00 pm until 8:00 with a 7:00 pm vigil in The Hunters Creek Chapel at Earthman Funeral Directors, 8303 Katy Freeway, Houston, Texas 77024. Funeral mass will be conducted on Thursday, March 22, 2018 at 10:00 am at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 1505 Kane Street, Houston, Texas 77007 with graveside service to follow at Forest Park Lawndale Cemetery, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, Texas 77023.
