Blanca E Menchaca

Blanca Estela Menchaca, 84, of Tampa, Florida, passed away peacefully in her home on May 20, 2023. Blanca was born on November 9, 1938, to Carmen Cervera Meza and Luis Menchaca in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico.

In a small town in Mexico, Blanca Estela Menchaca was born on November 9, 1938, to Carmen Cervera Meza and Luis Menchaca in Piedras Negras, Coahuila, Mexico. Blanca spent her childhood years growing up in Mexico with her mother, without many things in life. However, she always had a kind and giving heart, and her spirit shined in all that she did. When she became old enough, she felt a passion to enroll in nursing classes so she could help people. This was what she always wanted to do. However, her life took a new turn when she became a mother to her first child. This is where her new journey begins. Blanca had her first child, Patricia, in 1959. Soon after, she gave birth to Juan in 1960. Balancing her studies and raising a family placed her on a difficult path and led her to make challenging decisions in order to provide for her family. Her son, Juan, went to live with his grandmother. And as these circumstances changed, she made the decision to move to the United States for a better life. She landed in Eagle Pass, TX, and began to make ends meet as a migrant worker. Over time, her family grew, and in the subsequent years, she became a mother to Rosario in 1962, Maria in 1965, Irma in 1966, Sandra in 1968, and Claudia in 1970. The house became filled with girls, and she worked hard to provide and manage the best way that she could. Eventually, Blanca took on new roles in the hospitality industry, waitressing, providing her family with a little extra in life. Raising her children in a small border town, with a Catholic upbringing, posed its own difficulties for this family. However, life had more in store for them. The girls were excited to have two boys to add to their all-female household. Marco joined in 1971, and Gustavo in 1974. As years passed, Blanca continued to show kindness and could often be seen opening her door to women in need, forming lifelong friendships along the way. It was one of these women that returned her generosity and eventually helped to move her entire family to Tampa, FL, in 1979. This new adventure in Tampa is where she started her career at Tampa Bowling Lanes. A year later, the family received another surprise blessing. Rebecca was born in 1980. Blanca eventually settled with a career at Piccadilly Restaurant. She was beloved by all as a cherished dedicated employee. Blanca worked tirelessly through the years to raise her children and provide for them as best she could. At this point in her life, Blanca retired from the restaurant in 1995 and continued to show her giving heart by helping to raise her grandchildren: Clint, Coco, Kristen, Mya, and Denali.

After raising all her children and continuing to raise her grandchildren, in 2002, Blanca moved into the Aqua Apartment Building. It was here that she continued to live, driven by her passion to help others in their time of need. Blanca could often be seen working alongside the building manager, providing service to the community. She often would spend her own money to provide coffee and muffins in the mornings for the residents. She enjoyed making others happy, all while working at the Aqua Apartment Building for the next 18 years. She always assisted with whatever needed to be done, whether it was organizing yard sales, knocking door to door in the 16-story building asking for donations, setting up community bingo games, or knitting items for children with cancer at St. Joseph's Hospital and other nursing homes. One year, she even received the title "Queen of Aqua," a well-deserved honor that highlighted her dedication to the community.

One would think that her story would end there. However, there was one more surprise in her life in 2021. Blanca found another daughter through research with Ancestry DNA. This is a daughter that she believed to be lost, Xochitl Aguilera. It was with great joy to the family and especially to her that she was able to reconnect with her long-lost daughter.

Some of the things that we will remember about Blanca were her love and compassion towards animals, her dancing, and her amazing cooking skills. Her two dogs, Ella and Mattie, were her pride and joy while living at her apartment. Blanca also loved music and loved to dance. She could often be seen getting up and dancing when a favorite song came on, which always brought smiles and laughter to those around her. Blanca will always be remembered for her tamale-making skills. She was a master at treating all of the family each holiday with tamales that would melt in your mouth!

Now Blanca can rest in peace. Her journey is now complete. Her legacy lives on through her children.

Here is her legacy:

• Patricia Brown of Tennessee and her deceased husband James Brown, along with their daughter Christina and three great-grandchildren.

• Juan Ramos of Florida and his wife Gloria, along with their two children Juanito and Samuel and four great-grandchildren.

• Rosario Bowen of Florida and her husband Jim, along with a deceased grandson Michael.

• Xochitl Aguilera of Texas along with her 3 children, Juan Andres, Julie Marie, and Juan Manuel, and 12 great-grandchildren.

• Maria Ritchie (deceased) and her five children of Florida: Coco, Jaime, Taylor, RJ, Jacob, and four great-grandchildren.

• Irma Camp of Nevada and her husband Ernie, along with their four children Eric, EJ, Tyler, and Brian.

• Sandra Boston of Florida and her two children, Sarah and Raine, as well as Willberto, Christiano, and ten great-grandchildren.

• Claudia Ritchie of Florida and her three children Clint, Kristen, and Gabby and 2 greatgranddaughters.

• Marco Ritchie of Pennsylvania, along with his wife Anissa, and their two children Will and Meg.

• Gus Menchaca of Florida, his daughter Krysta, as well as his wife Diana, and her two children Jordan and Christian, and 4 great-grandchildren.

• Rebecca Bergeron of Tennessee, along with her husband Mark, and their three children Mya, Denali, and Matthew.

Blanca's celebration of life memorial service will be held on July 22, 2023, at her beloved Aqua Apartments located at 4505 N Rome Ave, Tampa, FL 33603. The service will begin at 2:00 pm, followed by light refreshments. All are welcome to attend.

In Lieu of flowers, Blanca’s Children ask that donations be made to The Bayless Cancer Institute at St. Joseph’s Children’s Hospital or The Spring of Tampa Bay in her name.