Nora Lea Barcelona Wasson passed away peacefully Saturday November 19, 2011 at the age of 88 in Bryan, Texas. Nora Lea was affectionately known by many as “the lady in the red hat.”
The family will receive visitors starting at 5:00 pm on Monday November 21, 2011 at Memorial Funeral Chapel in Bryan, Texas. The Holy Rosary Society will recite a Rosary at 4:00 pm and an additional Rosary will be recited at 7:00 pm.
Services are set for 10:00 am on Tuesday November 22, 2011 at St. Anthony’s Catholic Church in Bryan, Texas with Father Patrick Ebner officiating. Burial will follow at Mount Calvary Cemetery in Bryan, Texas.
Nora Lea was born May 30, 1923 in Bryan, Texas and was the daughter of the late Tony Barcelona, Sr. and Mary Mauro Barcelona.
Nora Lea was a lifetime member of St. Anthony’s Catholic Church. She loved her church and her Lord.
Besides her Lord, her grandchildren and great-grandchildren were her “world.” She lived for them and enjoyed keeping up with them and their activities. As a result, she was known as “Nana” at the local dance studio and Baseball Park.
Nora Lea loved life and lived it to the fullest. She enjoyed dancing, baking, traveling, volunteering, spending time with her family and caring for others. If someone needed help she was always there with a smile on her face and baked goods in hand.
Nora Lea was famous for her baking. Her Italian Cream Cake & Cream Puffs raised thousands of dollars for many churches, schools and charities over the years.
In the 1980’s she started babysitting and helped raise many young children in the Bryan/College Station area.
Nora Lea enjoyed working at the polls during the elections. She looked forward to seeing all her old friends and making new ones. Truth be told, she never met a stranger.
Nora Lea loved the Bryan/College Station area and had a passion for volunteering. She was an active member of numerous local charities and organizations. She was a Member of St. Anthony’s Altar Society for over 50 years, Retired Senior Volunteer Program for over 27 years, and she was an honorary member of the Bluebonnet Quilt Guild. She was also a Lifetime Member of the Holy Rosary Society and a member of the Red Hats Society.
Nora Lea is survived by her three daughters Jane Ebner and her husband Charles, June Van Etten and Toni Martinez. She is also survived by a grandson, Clinton and wife Amy Van Etten and a granddaughter, Nina Salvaggio. In addition, she is survived by her great-grandsons Holt and Hunter Van Etten and Sister-in-Law Rosa Lee Barcelona.
She was preceded in death by her parents Tony, Sr. and Mary Barcelona, her brother, Dr. Tony Barcelona Jr., baby sister, Nora Barcelona, and sons in law John Van Etten & Dr. J. Ed Martinez.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to St. Anthony’s Catholic Church, American Cancer Society, and Crestview Retirement Community.
The family would like to thank the staff at Crestview Retirement Community for the wonderful care and kindness given to their mother over the past few months. They would also like to thank Dr. Tripathy and all of the staff at the Cancer Center in Bryan. May the Lord Bless You All.
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