Gigi was born on January 10, 1945, in Sanderson, Texas, to Genaro and Romana Valdez. She graduated from Sanderson High School and moved to Austin, Texas and attended Nixion-Clay Commercial College. She began her career with the State of Texas working for the Texas Employment Commission and retired from the Texas Railroad Commission after 28 years of dedicated service.
In 1968, Gigi married Franklin Mendez, and together they raised their three children. Gigi devoted her life to her faith, her marriage, and her children. She was a loving wife, mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, great grandmother, and friend. She will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her unmatched wit and humor, her exceptional hunting and fishing skills, commitment to family, and the immense love she had for her family and friends. Gigi had a competitive spirit, an infectious laugh, and a sense of adventure.
Gigi is survived by her husband of 58 years, Franklin Mendez; son Franklin Mendez Jr. (Erika Chan); daughters Teresa L. Pickwell-Navarro (Don Wendel), and Sandra R. Varela (Alfredo). Grandchildren Steven F. Pickwell, Alyssa L. Pickwell (Dalton Schultz), Yesenia R. Navarro, Andrew L. Varela, Elan Mendez, Kai Mendez. And Great Grandchildren Raiden (Pickwell) Randle and Indira Pickwell. Siblings Henry Valdez (Herlinda), Petra Ramirez, and Marta Valdez, and many nephews and nieces.
She was preceded in death by: Parents: Genaro and Romana Valdez, sisters Magdalena Casares and Juanita Arredondo, and her brother Genaro Valdez Jr.
A visitation will be held on August 19, 2026, at 5 PM and Rosary at 7 PM, at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral Home, 2620 S Congress Ave, Austin, TX 78704. Funeral services will follow on August 20, 2026, at 10 AM, at St. Ignatius Martyr Church, 126 W Oltorf St, Austin, TX 78704. The interment will take place on August 20, 2026, at 12 PM, at Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home and Cemetery, 14501 N Interstate 35, Pflugerville, TX 78660.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MD Anderson, St David’s Hospice and Family Care of Austin.
The family wishes to extend our fondest gratitude to St. David's Hospice, Hospice Nurse Regina Ward, Fr. James Martin, Fr. Pete Logston, Marta Valdez and Sonya Munoz for their unwavering care, comfort and support.
