Viviana Valdez Sandoval

Viviana Valdez Sandoval, age 72, passed away on December 4, 2022, in San Antonio, TX. Viviana was born in Saginaw, MI on July 19, 1950, to her parents Adelina Arellano and Ramon Valdez who moved to Milwaukee in 1953. Viviana was encouraged by her parents to pursue higher education. She graduated from Bay View High School in Milwaukee, WI in 1968 and went on to graduate from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee. In 1973, Viviana gave birth to her first daughter, Gabriela in Madison Wisconsin in 1973. In that same year, she obtained her bachelor’s degree in Education.

As an independent and strong-minded woman, Viviana was active in civil rights groups and the Chicano movement in Milwaukee. Viviana was passionate about Mexican American culture and bilingual education. Viviana began her teaching career in 1974, at Colegio Americano in Mexico City. Soon after, she moved to Los Angeles, CA and worked as a bilingual teacher for two years at Logan Street School in Echo Park where she taught third grade. Viviana moved to San Antonio in 1977 where she worked as a fourth-grade teacher while obtaining a Master’s in Bilingual & Bicultural Education from University of Texas in San Antonio in 1981. She was a bilingual educator for twenty-two years in the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD). Viviana taught second and fourth grade at Charles C. Ball and Graebner Elementary. In 1987, Viviana gave birth to her second child, Celina. In 1991, shortly after Gabriela graduated high school and went off to college, Viviana moved to Houston, TX where she taught fourth grade at Ridgecrest, Valley Oaks, and Woodview Elementary Schools. She transitioned into an ESL facilitator for Spring Branch ISD. She obtained a second master’s degree in Educational Leadership from the University of Houston in 1998. This same year, she relocated to San Antonio to be closer to her aging parents. Viviana resumed her career at SAISD as a Curriculum Instructional Coordinator for the next six years, working at Herff Elementary.

She retired in 2011, with a distinguished award for over 35 years of service in education. This award reflected Viviana’s lifetime commitment to educational equality for Latino students. Viviana was also an active supporter of the Chicano arts, theater, and music. You could find her listening to bands at local music venues and attending live theater performances. She was an avid reader, traveler, and advocate of social justice.

Her grandkids have fond memories of their Nana, always giving them books and encouraging them to read. A loyal daughter, sister, friend, mother, and teacher- Viviana brought joy to many lives. She was preceded in death by her parents. Viviana is survived by her daughters, Gabriela Valdez Flores (Domingo) and Celina Sandoval (Joel); grandchildren, Sofia Flores, Ismael Flores, Lorenzo Flores, Ava Ramirez, and Alana Ramirez; brothers, Avelardo and Ramon Valdez; and numerous other extended family members and friends. The family will receive friends from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, December 15, 2022, at Porter Loring Mortuary.

ROSARYTHURSDAY, DECEMBER 15, 20227:00 PMPORTER LORING CHAPEL1101 McCULLOUGH AVENUE

MASSFRIDAY, DECEMBER 16, 202210:00 AMST. BENEDICT CATHOLIC CHURCH4535 LORD RD.

Father Jim Schellenberg will officiate. Interment will follow in Meadowlawn Memorial Park.