Iva Wooldridge Speranza

On April 24, 2025, Iva Stuart Wooldridge Speranza left this world to which she brought much zest and love for life. Born April 10, 1927 to David Otis and Georgia Mae Martin Stuart, Iva and her twin sister, Ima, were the youngest of six children. A native Texan, Iva grew up on a farm in the Rio Grande Valley town of Donna. She attended Donna High School where Iva was an energetic cheerleader! Her grandchildren often asked her to recite the cheers of her youth and she happily obliged.

After graduating from high school, Iva attended Graceland College in Lamoni, Iowa for one year. She later shared her trepidation of riding a train by herself so far away when, at that time, Houston was the furthest she’d ever traveled.

Iva married Bert Dow Wooldridge on September 29, 1946 and they had two daughters, Cindy Wooldridge Locke and Melissa Wooldridge McCaskill. The Wooldridges lived in Houston until Bert was transferred to San Francisco and later to Connecticut. Upon his retirement, the Wooldridges returned to the Houston area of Richmond. Bert and “Gammy” were blessed with five grandchildren. Bert died of cancer January 23, 1987.

Iva was a three-time cancer survivor and her children and grandchildren all walked alongside her during her first Race for the Cure. Her five grandchildren loved and adored their Snickers craving Gammy. She did not undergo a chemo treatment without at least one grandchild at her side. Never complaining, she was a source of strength and courage for her family during these difficult days.

In 1994, Iva moved to Austin and later that year met widower George Speranza while attending a Christmas party given by mutual friends. Iva and George married in 1998 in the home they had just finished building together. George became a loving step-in grandfather to Iva’s grandchildren. The Speranzas enjoyed entertaining, golfing, and traveling with friends.

The Speranzas moved to Westminster Manor in 2015 where they made wonderful friends and shared many high spirited domino game nights. The Westminster staff provided amazing loving care for both George and Iva.

Iva was preceded in death by her parents; husbands, Bert Wooldridge and George Speranza; five siblings and their spouses, Cecil Van Schreevan (Van), Margaret Enis (Charles), William Stuart (Sarah), Martin Stuart (Jackie), Ima Vickers (Elton).

Iva is survived by her daughters, Cindy Wooldridge Locke (Tom) and Melissa Wooldridge McCaskill (David); Grandchildren Tyler Davies (Melissa), Cameron Davies (Kaycee), Travis Baros (Brandi), Cullen Davies (Fernanda), and Ashley Baros Strait (Trey); ten great grandchildren, Bryce and Brooks Davies, Kenadee and Cayson Davies, Cade and Luke Baros, Buddy and Berton Strait, Joana and Sara Davies; as well as numerous beloved nieces and nephews. Through George, Iva found an additional family to love, the Speranza children and grandchildren.

Iva adored children and taught Sunday School, led a Bluebird troop, and served often as a homeroom mother. Memorial donations may be made to organizations supporting the well being of children or to your non profit of choice