Lydia C. Gonzalez

LYDIA CANTU GONZALEZ was born on January 8, 1926 to the union of Cenobio V. Cantu, Jr. and Lorenza Salinas Cantu in La Rosita, Texas. Mother was the eldest of three children, brothers, Ruben Amador and Arturo Agustin. She met the love of her life, Guadalupe Gonzalez in 1945 after he returned to Corpus Christi, TX from war and they were married in her hometown of San Diego, TX at St. Paula de Francis Catholic Church on September 7, 1947. Upon marriage they set up house in Corpus Christi and were blessed with three children, Beatriz Irelda (Bea), Ernesto Amador (Tito), and Lydia Ann (La Neca). They were married for 53 years when Daddy passed away on September 16, 2000. Her only son died January 9, 1972 and youngest daughter, Lydia Ann, on August 23, 2012. They moved to this area in 1962 and two years later relocated from League City, TX to Bayview (Bacliff, TX) where they made this their "pine box" home for 50 years. Mother was academically accomplished and was professionally driven. She attended Texas State College for Women (TWU) in Denton, TX before marrying her Navy man! She was an "at home" mom and when I left for college in 1967 she chose to be a school bus driver for Clear Creek Independent School District along with many of the ladies on her street! She retired as Dispatcher for the Transportation Department. Little 4' 9" mom drove a big yellow bus and for all these years loved the children she was entrusted with, her fellow co-workers, and the system. When she retired she settled very comfortably into "Grandmotherhood" to seven grandsons and 2 granddaughters. She can be described as loving, sweet, stoic, and always handwriting notes, cards or letters to those she loved. And this is what many remember mother doing. Handwritten notes with underlining of words! We will miss these cards! Special thanks to her home provider, Mary, and all the beautiful ladies, Anna, Tori, Elizabeth, Jessica, and Tina at Gracious Living and A-Med. Thank you for treating my mother as if she were your own with large doses of love, compassion, and laughter! There will be a special place in Heaven for you! Cuz she's gonna make sure!