Emma T Becho

Our mother, Emma, was a brave, amazing woman, determined to better her life through hard work and education. She was born Emma Trevino Olivo near Camargo, Tamaulipas, on February 14th, 1928. Her mother, Heriberta A. Olivo, was a schoolteacher and her father, Luis Trevino, was a judicial officer. She had two older sisters, Blanca and Luisa. Emma had 17 grandchildren, 24 great grandchildren, and 1 great grandchild.

Emma was orphaned at a young age and lived on Papa Porfirio’s ranch. Papa Porfirio, an elderly man along with female relatives, raised many children entrusted to them by mothers who went to the United States searching for work. Emma achieved a third-grade education but continued her schooling through Adult Education classes in Mission CISD schools. Her education helped her achieve her life-long dream of becoming a United States citizen in later years.

Emma, along with a female cousin. left the ranch at the tender age of 13, crossing the Rio Grande River near La Grulla. They walked to Mission and immediately were hired as maids/caregivers for several relatives. At the age of 16, she worked as a pharmacy clerk for Maria Austin, one of the founding businesswomen in Mission.

Emma met Eduardo, a tall quiet young man, and they fell in love. During their courtship, Eduardo enlisted in the Navy and later became an aircraft mechanic for Moore Air Base in McCook. Emma and Eduardo married in January 1947, at the age of 19 and 21, respectively. They had seven children, Eduardo, Jr., Alicia, Maria Dalia, Teodora, Arnoldo, Juanita and Hector Becho. Emma and Eduardo were married for 34 years until Eduardo passed away in 1981 at age 55. Daughter Teodora died in 2002 at age 50.

Emma determined her children should learn the value of hard work and appreciate their “free” education. With her independent spirit, she signed up the family to work in Minnesota hoeing fields of sugar beets and harvesting cucumbers in Wisconsin. They rode in the back of large trucks to reach their destinations. It was hard work and the youngsters understood why Emma was tough on them. This went on for several years until the older children married, enrolled in college, or worked at jobs unrelated to fieldwork.

Emma learned to drive at the age of 53 after Eduardo Sr’s death and worked outside the home for the first time. She was a provider with Texas Visiting Nurses and sold Jafra cosmetics on the side. She was a faithful Catholic woman, a proud member of Las Guadalupanas, and enjoyed taking communion to bedridden parishioners. Emma visited the elderly to cheer them up but never considered herself old.

Her faith was a driving force as to how she lived her life. She raised grandbabies and welcomed grandkids during summer breaks while parents worked. She was an advocate for women, helping neighborhood women find employment, getting assistance for domestic problems, and offering food and clothing to poorer families. Although our family didn’t have much, she realized that we were blessed to have a breadwinner with a steady job and a roof over our heads.

Emma enjoyed visiting new places where she could expand her knowledge of history. She traveled extensively

throughout Mexico with friends and family, visiting churches, pyramids, and other popular sites. She visited Xochimilco, Tepeyac Hill, México City, Puebla, Tampico, and Pampatla. Emma also took a Mediterranean trip and visited churches and religious sites in the Holy Land, Rome, Barcelona, Malta, Alexandria, Athens, Effesus, Venice and Padua. She was a popular traveler and met lots of interesting people along the way.

Emma was fiercely independent and continued to live on her own up until her death. Although daughters Alicia and Juanita lived nearby, she preferred to stay in her own home with her 16-year-old cat, Chula. Emma often sang and danced rancheras, enjoyed visiting friends, reading at Speer Memorial Library, shopping at Casa Kevin’s, and eating lunch at Danny’s on Conway. Her provider, Priscilla made her feel young again as they dressed up to “buscar uno novio” before leaving the house. Life was simple and enjoyable. Emma would quietly reminisce about her life, going as far back as life on Papa Porfirio’s ranch as old Cantinflas movies played on the TV.

Emma celebrated her 98th birthday surrounded by close family and friends. The mariachis delighted her, and she walked around greeting and visiting with those she recognized. She truly enjoyed the gathering. Sadly, six days later, she passed away.

Our family was grateful that she was able to enjoy this beautiful celebration. It brought all of us together and gave us comfort as we recognized her strength, her presence, and the powerful impact she had on each of our lives. The celebration of her life brought us peace and comfort as we began to grieve her passing. It was a blessing to honor and celebrate such an amazing woman—an extraordinary wife, mother, grandmother, cousin, daughter, and friend.

We also find comfort in knowing that she is now reunited with our beloved sister, Dora, and our father.

Overall, Emma lived a fulfilling life, building strong family values with love, laughter, and discipline. She valued education for her children and encouraged self-reliance. She respected authority and expected her children to do the same. Unknowingly, Emma taught us many life lessons and was the best teacher we could ever have. Thank you, Mama.

Missing you,

Edward, Alicia, Dalia, Arnold, Juanita and Hector

P.S. We’re sure you’re telling Dad and Dora about all your adventures since they last saw you.

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Granddaughters’ Tribute

Our grandmother was the heart of our family—a woman of deep Catholic faith, resilience, and unconditional love. Orphaned at a young age and raised by family, she carried the traditions of her Mexican heritage with pride and devoted her life to her husband, her children, and her home.

When our grandfather, a Navy WWII Veteran, passed away in 1981, she faced life alone at 53 years old. Having never driven or worked outside the home, she found the courage to do both so she could remain independent and care for her family. Her quiet strength in the face of loss showed us what true perseverance looks like.

She helped raise many of her grandchildren and was our safe place—her arms always open, offering comfort and reassurance. She would lovingly remind us, “agarren educación para que no tengan que depender de nadie,” teaching the women in our family that education and independence were gifts we must give ourselves.

Her resilience lives on in us. Her nurturing spirit, courage, and faith shaped the women we are today.

Descansa en paz, Abuelita. Tu amor vive en nosotros para siempre.

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Grandsons’ Tribute

To her grandsons, our grandmother was the exemplification of a matriarch and the cornerstone of our family. Through her profound love and gentle respect, she shaped our understanding of familial strength, teaching us that true love lies in kindness and that providing for a family means offering tenderness, not just protection.

We will forever cherish the time spent gathered around her kitchen table, grateful for the dedication she showed to each and every one of us. We may not all have spoken the same language, but we all knew we were loved.

The most important lesson she imparted was to honor and respect the powerful women in our family—a value that has guided us throughout our lives and bore fruit through the families that we have grown ourselves. Her love was quiet, steady, and unyielding. She may be gone, but her love persists.

Descansa en paz, Abuelita. Nunca te irás porque siempre estarás con nosotros.