Josefina Lopez de Rocha

Josefina Lopez de Rocha, devoted wife, mother, grandmother, friend and neighbor passed away peacefully on April 5, 2012, in Austin, Texas at the age of 94. She was born in Austin on November 8, 1917. Josefina was the second eldest of four children. In 1948, she married Andres Rocha and survived him in death in 1997. Josefina is survived by her daughter, Gloria; son, Mario and his wife Marie; four grandchildren, Jonathan and wife Elisia, Josephine (JJ), Catherine and Jacklyn.

From a young age Josefina was radical for her time: endeavoring in social reform and business pursuits, beginning with graduating from Austin High School in 1934, and becoming editor-in-chief of her very own printing press. She has always had a passion for music; she played the piano and the organ at Guadalupe Church on Lydia St. from the 1930s through the 1950s.

She began publishing a local magazine, El Organo, a first of its kind, during World War II, which included news, stories, and poems pertaining to the Mexican-American community in Austin. On August 5, 1966, Josefina, encouraged by her husband opened another business venture The Fabric Shop, which she then dedicated the next 46 years of her life until her death.

In 2010, Josefina was honored by the South Austin Civic Center for promoting business in South Austin for over 40 years. In 2011, the Austin History Center recognized Josefina as one of the Voces de Latinas for her publication, El Organo by displaying exhibits of the magazine at the Mexic-Arte Museum and the Emma S. Barrientos Mexican American Cultural Center in downtown Austin. Josefina has always been involved with neighborhood functions and was an active member of St. Ignatius Catholic Church for over 50 years.

Serving as pallbearers will be Norberto Martinez, Eric Valdez, Richard Guebara, Gustavo Soto, Manuel R. Saldaña and Robert Cisneros. Honorary pallbearer will be Joe Juranek.

Recitation of the Holy Rosary will be held at 7:00 pm on Tuesday, April 10, 2012 at Weed-Corley-Fish Funeral, 2620 South Congress Avenue. Mass of the Christian Burial will be celebrated at 10:00 am on Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at St. Ignatius Catholic Church, 126 W. Oltorf. Interment will follow at Assumption Cemetery.