Delfina Bowles Meza

She was born Delfina Bowles in Eagle Pass, Texas on June 18th, 1934, the second of six children born to Rudolfo Bowles and Aurelia (Rodriguez) Bowles.

When she was ten years old, Fina’s father passed away in a car accident, and she started working shortly afterwards to help support the family. At that age she often worked in her uncle’s movie theatre or in his flea market in a stall downtown. After her father’s death, the family moved in with Aurelia’s mother and father in Eagle Pass.

Fina attended Eagle Pass schools through high school graduation and was excited to participate in a number of school activities. She was FHA president and Cap & Gown vice-president, and was also on the student council, pep squad and yearbook staff, and a member of the folk dancing, hobby and international relations clubs.

While she was in high school, Fina started dating Raymond Meza, an all-around athlete in Eagle Pass schools. Delfina and Raymond had known each other since childhood, graduating in the same class. Delfina was attracted to the polite, handsome, outgoing young man, and she also appreciated the fact that he had a car. Raymond had enrolled at the Southwest School of Printing in Dallas shortly after graduating from high school but was soon drafted and inducted into the Army. Upon his discharge from the service, Raymond re-enrolled in printing school and began printing their wedding invitations. He and Fina were married in October 1955.

While in Dallas they welcomed the first addition to their family, Melissa; three years later, after moving to nearby Mesquite, Rosella (Rosie) was born, and their son Victor followed in 1966. A lifetime member of the Catholic Church, Fina volunteered for St. Pius X Church in Mesquite, and was active in the Altar Society.

In 1967, the young family moved to Austin. There, Raymond worked as a printer until retirement, while Fina worked in several occupations over the years. She learned bookkeeping while working many years for a realtor. She worked retail at a number of department stores and was a credit manager at J.C. Penney, and she retired as an employee of the state.

During their 58 years in Austin, Fina and Raymond frequently hosted family and friends in their home for celebrations and holidays. Thanksgiving gatherings, in particular, always included extended family from the Bowles side.

Fina and Raymond also enjoyed traveling around the country, often with Fina’s sister Edna and her husband Frank. Favorite destinations included almost yearly trips to Branson, Missouri, and the Norman Rockwell museum in Stockbridge, Massachusetts. They also loved music, from the joys of local mariachis to the experience of seeing Frank Sinatra in concert.

Survivors include daughter Melissa (Meza) White and son-in-law John White of Fayetteville, Arkansas, daughter Rosie and son Victor of Austin. She also leaves behind two sisters, Edna Lopez and Rosella Aldridge.

She was preceded in death by her husband, parents, sisters Frances Weatherly and Norma Booth, and her brother Rudy Bowles. She will be dearly missed and fondly remembered by all, especially her nieces and nephews Cyndi and husband Jimmy Allred, Paige and Jennifer Allred, David Lopez, and Rodney and Rudy Bowles. Among many others, close friends Flora Saenz and Guadalupe Cardoso deeply mourn her loss.

The family also gratefully acknowledges the dedicated work of the nurses and aides on the fifth floor of Ascension Seton Medical Center, and of the home care nurses and aides of Compassus Austin Hospice.

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests considering a contribution to the American Heart Association in Fina’s name.

A visitation for Delfina will be held Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 4:00 PM at Cook-Walden Funeral Home, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A rosary service will occur Thursday, July 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM, 6100 North Lamar, Austin, TX 78752. A funeral mass will occur Friday, August 1, 2025 at 10:00 AM at St Albert the Great Catholic Church, 12041 Bittern Hollow, Austin, TX 78758. A graveside service will occur Friday, August 1, 2025 at 12:00 PM at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Cemetery, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. A catered reception will occur Friday, August 1, 2025 after the graveside service at Baby Acapulco, 9505-B Stonelake Blvd, Austin, TX 78759.