Emma H Fonseca

Born in 1937 in Gonzales, Texas, she lived a life marked by faith, independence and duty to others. She graduated from Harlingen High School, and in 1955 she became the first Mexican-American to take part in Lone Star Girls State, the leadership program for young women. In 1956, she married Tomás Fonseca Jr and together they had seven children. While raising her family, she completed her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration in Finance at the University of Central Florida. She worked in banking and insurance before retiring in 2003. Over the years she lived in different parts of the country and including Venezuela, returning to Texas in 2014.

A devout Catholic, Emma’s faith was central to her life. She was a faithful and active member of the St. Ignatius Martyr parish and was a part of the Women’s Club. Over her lifetime she volunteered in schools, supported food pantries and was a poll worker in Travis county.

A gifted seamstress, Emma spent many years sewing for herself, her family, and others before discovering her love of quilting. Beyond the fabric and stitches, she especially treasured the friendships and fellow community she found with other quilters and her sister Danni. A talented baker, she was particularly remembered for her homemade breads, which her children still try to replicate.

She will be missed by her sisters, Ann DeBecze and Danni (George) Dankworth; her aunt, Dolores Poncio; her seven children, Tómas Fonseca III (Deborah), M. Rose Fonseca, Vincent Fonseca (Jenifer), Sarita Rogers Kouyoumjian (Derek), Laura Pruett, Maria Luby (Michael), and Marta Fonseca; her grandchildren, Alyssa Pearson, Tómas Fonseca IV, Rachel Dugan, Nicole Kamen, Paige Lucas, Xevi Graham, Carmen Graham, Jackson Graham, Owen Luby, Miles Luby, Francis Luby, and Patrick Luby; her great-grandchildren, Daniel Pearson, Emma Pearson, Roger Pearson, Charlotte Dugan, Nathaniel Dugan, Lily Rose Dugan, Drue Kamen, and Rowan Kamen; and numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins. She was preceded in death by her parents, Michael and Julia Hernandez, and her sister, Mary Ellen Hernandez Moore

Visitation with the family will be held at Weed Corley Fish funeral home, 2620 S. Congress Ave., Austin, TX 78745 on Nov. 11 from 5:00 pm to 7:00 pm, with a praying of the Rosary at 7:00 p.m.

A funeral Mass will be said at St. Ignatius Martyr, 226 W. Oltorf St. Austin, TX, on Nov 12 at 10:00 am, a burial will follow at Assumption Chapel Mausoleum and Cemetery at 11:30 am. A reception will immediately follow at 5502 Emerald Forest. Drive.