Irma G. Dovalina

Irma Garza Dovalina, our beloved Mother, Grandmother, and Great-grandmother, age 95, passed away peacefully on May 7, 2023 with family by her side at the home of her son Ismael Jr and Neifa Dovalina. Irma was born in Laredo, Texas on June 13, 1927 to Pedro Garza and Maria Concepcion Martinez Garza. She had two younger brothers Pedro and Carlos with whom she was very close. Irma had a happy childhood in a big extended family growing up close to many aunts, uncles and cousins, whom she stayed in contact with all her life. When she was ten years old, her father passed away tragically in an accident, so her grandmother and great-aunts helped raise her and her brothers. Her mother's Catholic faith was an important part of her upbringing with memories of spending Sundays in church, socializing afterward with friends in the Laredo San Agustin Plaza.

After attending Martin High School, she transferred and graduated from St. Augustine Catholic High School. She then began her career with Southwestern Bell Phone Company in Laredo making lifelong friends. She met the love of her life Ismael Dovalina at a Laredo Social Club dance. They waited to wed until after he returned from his service in the US Army. They married in June 1951 at St. Augustine Catholic Church. They had a beautiful, happy marriage that lasted 34 years until Ismael’s passing. All those years were filled with much love, laughter and fun.

Irma and Ismael were blessed with their first child Ismael Jr. (Ish) in Laredo. Irma quit work to become a stay-at-home mom. They moved to San Antonio when Ish was one year old when Ismael became employed at Kelly Air Force Base with the help of her brother Pete. Her mother followed soon after to live with them. Irma went back to work at SWB phone company in San Antonio continuing to make more lifelong friends. She took another break from working when she was blessed with her daughters, Irma (Bebe) and later Rose (Rosie). The home that she and Ismael created was warm, safe, and embracing. She ensured her children had a Catholic upbringing and education just as she had. She was active at St. John the Evangelist Catholic Church and School.

Mom loved traveling with her family taking many summer trips across the country to visit her brother Carlos and his family at Navy duty stations, Uncle Pancho in California, and cousins in Mexico. A favorite trip was to Whidbey Island, Washington, and Vancouver. More happy memories were made celebrating in Laredo, camping at Garner State Park and Padre Island seashore, and boating at Canyon Lake. Back at home, she loved having parties and barbecues for every holiday and occasion. Friends and relatives knew that her door was always open and her table always full.

Her husband was diagnosed with cancer in 1976, but that didn’t slow them down. Their marriage was truly in sickness and in health, as Irma was always by his side throughout his illness. When he passed in 1985, it was a very hard time for her, but her mother was still with her. Fortunately, Irma had already been blessed with her first grandson, Ismael R., which filled her life with joy again. She naturally fell into the role of Grandmother, soon welcoming seven more grandchildren. While helping raise her grandchildren, Irma continued to be a devoted daughter until her mother’s passing in 1998.

She lived many years in San Antonio, and she spent much time in Austin helping Bebe with the grandchildren. She eventually made a permanent move to Austin where Bebe lovingly supported Irma as she grew older. She cherished this time in Austin as she became a Great-grandmother with the birth of her first great-grandchild, Lily, with ten more great-grandchildren following.

In August 2022, Ish Jr. and Neifa welcomed Irma back home to San Antonio to live with them. They graciously took care of her making her final days peaceful.

Irma was happy in the life she created. She deeply loved all of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren, and they in return deeply loved her. Mom was proud of her children's accomplishments. Among her proudest moments were when she went to New York City to see her son Ismael Jr. graduate from Columbia University in 1974, and when her daughter Irma graduated from Baylor Medical School in Houston in 1983. With her husband and son’s help, Irma became a small-time rancher raising cattle on their property in South Texas. She was a member of the Texas and Southwestern Cattle Raisers Association. In these days, Irma loved to go deer hunting and motorcycle riding with Ismael, Ish Jr. and brother Pete.

Irma was fortunate to build a house on the Guadalupe River with Bebe and Fred. This home became the Dovalina Family’s gathering place for holidays and summer fun. Irma warmly invited family and friends for BBQ, cold beer or margaritas. Bebe and Fred joyfully hosted Irma’s 90th Birthday Bash there in summer 2017 surrounded by many extended family and friends.

Irma took pride in her Catholic faith. She attended an ACTS Retreat in 2004 with her daughter Rosie, and the team called her and her friends “The Golden Girls.” She was Madrina Godmother to grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and friends’ children.

Irma, affectionately called Ata or Mom, loved being a Grandmother and constantly brought joy to her grandchildren’s lives. She looked forward to spending time with them whether in San Antonio with Ishy and Kahlil, Austin with Chris and Becca, or even out of state visiting the “Army brats” Michael, Cathy, Elizabeth and Andrea until they moved to San Antonio. Ata/Mom treasured being at the births of her grandchildren, attending school functions, blessing them at their Sacraments, hosting them for summers and vacationing with them to many places. Among her favorite family vacations as a Grandmother were the trips to Gettysburg, Niagara Falls, the Grand Canyon and Disney World. She enjoyed going to her ranch with her grandsons to hunt, clear the land and raise cattle. She loved being an Aggie grandmother (Gig ‘em!) celebrating move-ins, ring days, graduations, and even random weekdays taking the grandchildren out to eat.

Irma was kind, friendly, generous, loved a party, and dearly loved and was loved by all of her family and friends. Her memory will be forever cherished by those who had the privilege of knowing her.

Irma was preceded in death by her parents; her husband Ismael; and her brothers. She is survived by her children, Ismael Jr. and Neifa Dovalina, Drs. Irma and Fred Martin, Rosie and Brian Scott; her grandchildren, Ismael R. Dovalina, Chris and Xixi Martin, Michael and Samantha Scott, Rebecca Martin, Kahlil and Beverly Dovalina, Cathy and Dario Dominguez, Elizabeth and Brandon Pesek, Andrea Scott and Mikey Gdovin; her great-grandchildren, Lily, Kiki, Kody, Hannah, Livy, Alex, Rachel, Amelia, Max, David, Jackson; and many nieces and nephews.

The family wishes to thank Holy Savior Home Hospice Care for care in her final weeks, Rev. Jim Rutkowski for visiting during her last year and administering the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick in her final days, and Holy Spirit Parish for always welcoming her.Pallbearers: Ismael R. Dovalina, Chris Martin, Kahlil Dovalina, Dario Dominguez, Brandon Pesek, Daniel Gutierrez, Andrew Garza, Antonio Martinez.

The family will receive visitors from 6:00pm to 7:00pm May 22, 2023, at Porter Loring Mortuary North.

ROSARYMONDAY, MAY 22, 20237:00 PMPORTER LORING MORTUARY NORTH

FUNERAL SERVICETUESDAY, MAY 23, 20239:30 AMHOLY SPIRIT CATHOLIC CHURCH8134 BLANCO RD

BURIAL SERVICETUESDAY, MAY 23, 202311:00 AMFORT SAM HOUSTON NATIONAL CEMETERY