Aurora Valenzuela

Aurora was born in Havana, Cuba on February 10, 1937, to Jose Manuel and America Vega. She graduated from Angel de la Guarda high school in Havana and also studied English while still in Cuba. Aurora was married to Douglas Patrick Valenzuela on October 10, 1977; they were married 46 years.

In the early 1960s, right before the Cuban Missile Crisis, Aurora and her parents fled to the United States as political refugees with no possessions other than what they could carry in a suitcase. Aurora began working to support herself and her parents and became a proud American citizen. Eventually, Aurora was able to earn enough to get off public assistance, buy a car, move apartments, and take her parents on road trips throughout the United States, and even into Canada and overseas to Spain and Italy. Aurora met Douglas at a Rosary prayer meeting and their son was born in 1978.

Aurora worked in insurance for a number of years, then was a homemaker, and most recently ran a Catholic bookstore. Throughout her life, she enjoyed spending time with her family, playing board games (especially Parcheesi), reading, watching movies, and traveling. She was a devout and devoted Catholic, dedicated to her Faith and to pro-life causes.

Aurora is preceded in death by a younger brother who died in infancy, as well as her parents, Jose Manuel and America Vega.

Aurora is survived by her husband Douglas; her son Francisco Javier and his wife, Shannon; her brother Jose Manuel Vega and his family; her grandchildren, Javier and his wife Kaylie, Anthony, Brendan, Aidan, Melina, and Annelise; and her great-grandchildren Jameson and Hayden; and other beloved family and friends.

Visitation will be held on July 30, 2024, from 4PM-8PM, with the praying of the Rosary at 6:30 PM at Calvary Hill Chapel. The Mass of Christian Burial will be held at 10 AM on July 31, 2024, at the Church of the Incarnation on the campus of the University of Dallas with Father John Bayer, O.Cist., officiating. Committal will follow at Calvary Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery at Noon.

The family of Aurora Isabel Valenzuela wishes to thank all of those who have prayed for, assisted, cared for, or otherwise supported her and us. We are so very grateful for you and we will pray for you and for your intentions.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.calvaryhilldallas.com for the Valenzuela family.