Catalina Rivera Mireles entered into the loving arms of our Lord on March 8, 2023 at the age of 90. She was born in Fentess, Texas on March 22, 1932 to Francisca Pastrano and Francisco Rivera. Catalina was the 4th of 12 children.
Catalina learned about hard work at a young age. Her parents were migrant workers and Catalina and her siblings would move around the United States working with their parents. They worked out in Wisconsin, Nebraska, Arizona, and many other states. The family decided to stay in San Antonio, Texas where they called home. Catalina was a loving lady. She loved to spend time with family and friends. She was friendly to anyone entering her life. She loved to dance but had a great love for music. She would listen to music at home. She taught herself to use YouTube in order to watch her favorite music videos or to discover new music. Her home had music blasting all of the time, and had family over, making it her paradise. Catalina was also a great cook, she made delicious mole with chicken, Thanksgiving stuffing, tortillas, but she had the best tamales in San Antonio.
Catalina was a member of St. Jude Catholic Church, she would attend mass on Sundays and would show her devotion to our Lord. Catalina was strong, not only in her faith, but in her character.
Catalina will be reunited in heaven with her parents, Francisca and Francisco Rivera; daughter, Ida R. Mendoza; son, Jose R. Mendoza. Brothers, Domingo Rivera, Doroteo Rivera, Juan Rivera, Tomas Rivera; and sisters, Antonia Eguia, Guadalupe Aguirre, and Josefina Garcia.
Her memory will forever live in her children, Darling Ledesma (Martin), Antonio Mendoza, Rosa Ycela Mendoza, Jose Mendoza(Herlinda), daughter in heart, Katalina Bourgeois – Marroquin (Shayna); fur child, Faith. Sisters, Gloria De La Cruz, Esther De La Cruz, and Mary Rossett; brother, Pete, Rivera; 11 grandchildren, and numerous great-grandchildren, great-great grandchildren, nieces, nephews and extended family.
The family of Catalina would like to extend a special thank you to Embrace Hospice for all of the caring staff that supported Catalina. A special thank you to Sarah and Susie. As nurses, they showed the love and care that Catalina deserved. The family would also like to mentioned, Lourdes, the social worker that went above and beyond, becoming a close friend of Catalina.
