Lilia Aurora Barrera Cruz, 81, entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 16, 2022. The youngest of seven children, Lilia was born on February 1, 1941, in Rio Grande City, Starr County, Texas, to Liberato and Encarnación “Lilie” Barrera. She was baptized a Catholic Christian on Pearl Harbor Day.
In 1959, Lilia graduated from Rio Grande City High School as Salutatorian of her tight-knit class, and treasured enduring friendships with several of her classmates. She loved playing the oboe in her marching band. She also participated in track and field and basketball. Lilia graduated with honors from Pan American College in Edinburg, Texas, with a B.A. in 1962.
Shortly after graduation, she moved to Houston and trained at St. Joseph Hospital to become a licensed medical technologist. Lilia was blessed with wonderful teachers and mentors and made some of her closest lifelong friends during her laboratory days. While at St. Joseph, Lilia met Vergel Victa Cruz, a surgical fellow from Makati in the Philippines. They married on June 10, 1967. Later, she supervised the blood bank at St. Joseph.
After Dr. Cruz returned from U.S. Army service in Vietnam and resumed his practice in the Houston Heights area, Lilia tirelessly worked side by side with him: drawing blood, performing lab tests, managing the office, and most importantly to her, giving sympathetic counsel to patients. To Lilia and Dr. Cruz, a patient’s lack of money never presented a barrier to care, and she treated every single patient with dignity and respect.
As a devoted mother to her two children, Lilia always found time to volunteer at their schools and to cheer them on and support them in school and extracurricular activities. Lilia was an avid party planner, host, and attendee. She cherished celebrating birthdays, religious milestones, graduations, and holidays with thoughtful cards and gifts. And she took great care in choosing just the right clothes and matching jewelry for each occasion. Her interactions with people were deep and genuine, never hurried, and always overflowing with Christian charity. Lilia’s unwavering faith guided her through both smooth and difficult times. She was proper but fun-loving, precise in her work, and friendly toward all.
Lilia was a beloved “Grandma” to her three grandchildren. She relished sharing stories and laughter and always had a small treat ready for any visit. Even as her health declined, and she might not have been able to attend a game or event in person, she ensured that her grandchildren always felt celebrated.
Lilia is preceded in death by her parents, brothers José Mario, Liberato H., and Felipe L. Barrera, and sisters Ana María Barrera (Derly) Ramírez and María de los Ángeles Barrera (John) Gallagher. She is survived by her husband Vergel; sister Guadalupe “Lupita” (Emanuel) Valenciano of Houston; children Marisa Cruz (Gavin) Hurd and Vergel Barrera Cruz; and grandchildren Dominic, Julian, and Celeste Hurd.
Visitation will take place at 10:30 a.m. on Saturday, August 27, 2022, with the funeral Mass to follow at 12:00 p.m. at St. Ambrose Catholic Church, 4213 Mangum Road, Houston, Texas 77092. Interment will take place at a later date in Rio Grande City. The family expresses its gratitude to the various doctors and staff of the Memorial Hermann system, who cared for her during these last few months and especially thanks Lilia’s longtime cardiologist Dr. Philip Clay Haas, who compassionately helped her through many a health crisis. Donations in memory of Lilia may be made to St. Pius X High School in Houston, Texas.
Fond memories and expressions of sympathy for the Cruz family may be shared at www.pathfoleyfuneraldirectors.com.
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