Ofilia de la Garza Ornelas

Ofilia was fiercely committed to her family and loved living her life to serve others—first, as a loving daughter, sister, and Registered Nurse and later as a devoted wife, mother and grandmother. While chaperoning her sister Olga to a dance, she met the man who would become her husband and partner there on a blind date. She married “Pablito” the love of her life on December 27, 1959, a marriage that lasted over 61 wonderful years.

Ofilia loved playing golf, a sport taught to her by her husband, and spending time with her family at Lost Creek Country Club. She was a huge Texas A&M Aggie fan and carried a special place in her heart for all her “Peanut Butter” tabby cats. She also became a student of military history, after suffering the loss of her Uncle Cristobal de la Garza in the Battle of the Rapido River in World War II. She enjoyed visiting with the surviving members of the 36th Infantry Division of the U.S. Army, also known as the “T-Patchers.” She dedicated countless hours volunteering at the Texas Military Forces Museum at Camp Mabry in Austin.

Upon graduating from Martin High School in Laredo, Ofilia enrolled at the James R. Dougherty School of Nursing and Del Mar College in Corpus Christi, TX to pursue her lifelong dream of becoming a nurse. She earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing in 1957 and began her career at John Sealy Hospital in Galveston, TX as an operating room nurse. After moving to Bryan, TX, she joined the staff at St. Joseph Hospital, working full-time to support her husband as he worked to complete his Civil Engineering degree at Texas A&M University. Ofilia kept up her nursing certification for many years, even after she stopped working.

There was no greater calling for Ofilia than to raise her family—leaving her career as a nurse to provide a loving and supportive home for her children. Whether serving as President of the PTA, leader of a Camp Fire Girls Bluebird Troop, attending boys’ choir practices, or cheering on the golf course, the baseball field or at dance recitals, she was steadfastly committed to helping Pat, Paul and Liz achieve their goals and dreams. She was never on the sidelines—always being actively involved in every phase of their lives. She excelled at being the very best grandmother to Sharon and Lauren. “Nana” was there for every special occasion and celebration—and she was adored.

Ofilia is preceded in death by parents Rosendo and Petra de la Garza and siblings, Olga Martinez and Virginia de la Garza. She is survived by daughter, Patricia Ornelas Henry; son, Paul Ornelas III; daughter, Elizabeth Strong (Jeffrey); and granddaughters Sharon Strong and Lauren Strong. She is also survived by siblings Maria Luisa Martinez (Lee), Rosendo de la Garza Jr. (Margie), Celia Brahm (Joe Eisenring); Orelia Mercer (David); and numerous nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank the staff at Brookdale Lakeway Memory Care & Skilled Nursing and especially Cathy Hilliard of St. David’s Hospice & Family Care. A Burial Service will take place at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Monday, July 3, 2023 at 9:30 a.m. at Shelter #3. In lieu of flowers, a memorial donation may be made to Ofilia’s beloved charity—St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.