Octavia E. Valencia

Octavia E. Valencia, 94, of Monterrey, Mexico, passed away on Saturday, October 26th in Houston, Texas. A loving mother, grandmother, great-grandmother and great-great-grandmother, she was much loved and will be deeply missed.

Octavia, who was given a childhood nickname of Nena that she used until her death, was born in Monterrey, Mexico on August 7th, 1925 where she was raised along with her 21 siblings! She married the love of her life, Juan Valencia on September 2, 1945. Together, they migrated to Texas with a dream and determined to give their children the best chances for a better life. And even though neither one of them knew how to speak English, they worked hard to provide a loving home for their 7 children. Theirs was a love story for the books; both adoring and honoring each other in their own ways. Dad working proudly to provide an income for the home and Mom at home taking care of the house, the children and their household income. In their older years, they were blessed to be able to travel the world and visited many memorable and significant sites. Dad passed away in August of 1986, but Mom referred to him as her husband up until her death. She continued to wear her wedding band and insisted on being addressed as Mrs. Juan Valencia. No other suitor would be entertained. And in her last days, Mom often talked about wanting to see Dad again.

Besides her children and the home, Nena enjoyed gardening. She could plant a stick and grow a paradise from it. Her flowers and plants were something that gave her pride. Nena was exceptionally fond of Roses and Elephant Ears. But before anything Nena always put her Faith in God first. She regularly attended mass at St. Patrick Catholic Church. Her daily prayers were a time to be close with God and she often said how she always prayed for her children. Some of her happiest times where spent chatting and visiting with all her friends before and after mass. Her church group was something she regularly was involved in and it was important to her.

Nena is preceded in death by her parents, Abel and Evita Espinoza, her daughter Araceli Garcia, her son-in-law Robert Smith and her grand daughters Araceli Cortez and Irene Garcia.

The legacy she leaves is 7 children and their spouses, Irma Smith, Sylvia Valencia, Juan & Matilda Valencia, Ruben & Janet Valencia, Fredrico & Isabel Valencia and Claudia Horn. Her 21 grandchildren, Karlos Castillo, Kris Smith, Andy Smith, Kevin Smith, Andrea Herrera, John Valencia II, Ruben Valencia Jr, Nancie Espinoza, Tiffany Marroquin, Natalie Smith, Angelica Martinez, Fred Valencia Jr, Marcus Castillo, Andy Castillo, Vanessa Castillo, Gabby Castillo, Justin Horn, Randy Horn Jr., Melanie Horn. Nena had 16 great-grandchildren; Karlee Castillo, Lauren Cox, Morgan Smith, William Smith, Adrian Valencia, Madison Herrera, Mia Herrera, Alex Valencia, John Valencia III, Sophia Valencia, Jasmine Valencia, Clayton Marroquin, Dahilia Grace Castillo, Tyler Horn, Ruben Horn, Michael Cortez, and 2 great-great-grandchildren; Addison Cox, Finn Cox.

The legacy she leaves does not consist only of the people in the family, but of the values she set an example of and instilled in each of us. Her legacy is one of courage to move to a different country not knowing what to expect or how to communicate but doing so in spite of the challenge because she knew it would give her children a better life. It is one of determination to instill in each of her children the spirit of independence and hard work. Her legacy is one of high standards that at times were hard to live up to. But she held herself up to these same standards and she expected no less of herself. It is a legacy that has made her family stronger when needed and courageous in strife. As the matriarch of the Valencia family she will be missed. But her blood runs through us and her spirit will always be among us never faltering in wanting the best for each of us and always protecting the ones she loved the most.

And yes her passing brings sorrow to her family but also give us joy for her knowing that she is reunited with the love of her life. She is reunited with our sister Sally and her grand daughters. And we know FOR HER being able to enter into the presence of Our Father in heaven, it is a HAPPY DAY!

We invite our family and loved ones to attend her viewing which will be held from 4 pm to 8 pm on Wednesday, October 30th at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale St., Houston, TX 77023. A rosary will also take place at 7 pm for those who wish to participate.

A mass to celebrate her life before she is laid to rest will be held at 12 pm on Thursday, October 31st at St. Patrick Church at 4918 Cochran St, Houston, TX 77009. Followed by her burial at 2pm at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home.