Lydia Perez Mrs. Fonseca

Mrs. Lydia Perez Fonseca, passed from Earth to Heaven on Saturday, April 13, 2019 at the age of 102. She is survived by her immediate family who will miss her dearly: Daughters, Margarita F. Kleckner (Jim); Mary Alice Lopez (Jesse); Elida Raquel Farnsworth (Ron); Erlinda F. Lopez (Ernest); Tess F. Riegel (Herman); her only son, Raul Perez Fonseca (Esperanza), and her brother, David H. Perez (Dora). Mrs. Fonseca was blessed with 10 grandchildren, 14 great-grandchildren and 2 great-great grandchildren, plus beloved nieces and nephews too numerous to mention, whom she was very proud of – from San Antonio to Los Angeles to Denver, to Milwaukee, and Chicago. Lydia was born in Bastrop, Texas and lived in Mississippi when she was a child, until her family settled in San Antonio, with her graduating from Lanier High School.

She is welcomed in Heaven by her husband of 50+ years, Thomas M. Fonseca, a World War II veteran; her beloved parents, Vicenta Herrera Perez and Lauro Ruiz Perez, and brothers, Guillermo, Lauro Jr., Leoncio, and Ernesto, as well as her beloved grandson, Christopher M. Lopez.

A homemaker almost her entire adult life, Lydia lived in the same house she bought in 1943, while working at Kelley AFB during World War II. She joined a large population of the women in the United States who made a contribution to the War effort by joining the We Can Do It movement, working as a Rosie the Riveter, supporting all the men who were off in Europe fighting for our country. After her husband, Thomas, returned from the war, she became and remained a stay-at-home mom, like most women of the 1950s and 60s.

Always an avid Pedro Infante fan, Lydia loved to sing while doing her housework, singing along to the radio playing popular Mexican songs, and she also sang popular music from the time period, such as Doris Day's "Que Sera Sera". One of her favorite memories she enjoyed retelling us was when Thomas came home on furlough for the holidays and while downtown for dinner, they heard "White Christmas" by Bing Crosby on the jukebox over and over.

Later in life, Lydia enjoyed babysitting for her neighbors' children, and did so for a few years. In doing this, she formed a few long-lasting bonds with some of the children she watched. She cared for them as if they were hers, and often spoke of them fondly in later years.

We thank God that our mother was blessed with longevity, a long life filled with love and happiness. She leaves each of us many beautiful memories we will carry in our hearts forever.

We would like to thank the wonderful doctors and nurses at Generations Hospice Care of San Antonio for their care of our mother over the last year. Thank you also to Dr. Amna Salhin, Dr. Melissa Isbell, Dr. Michael Gonzales, and Dr. Raul Hidalgo. A very special thank you to Clayton Klesel at Porter Loring, for his kindness that touched our hearts. Finally, thank you to the many well-wishers – your prayers meant so much to our family, as well as the flowers and cards. Per our mom's wishes, a Memorial Service followed by a celebration of her life will be held in August this year.