Michelle L. Palacio

During her high school years she received a paid summer internship at Santa Ana National Wildlife Refuge. She loved animals, and at one time seriously considered working for ASPCA. Another accomplishment Michelle achieved during her high school years was having her poetry chosen to be printed within a book called "Poetic Voices of America" in 1995. Michelle graduated from Weslaco High School in 1997.

Not long after high school, Michelle was blessed to give birth to her first born son Michael A. Cortez. A couple of years later she gave birth to her second son Nicholas A. Cortez. To complete her family, she gave birth to two beautiful girls, Maria Elizabeth Castro and Marissa Michelle Castro.

Michelle dreamed of attending college and it became a reality in 2010. Michelle did not just attend college, she immersed herself in it. Some of her college achievements were, South Texas College Certified Student leader, president's volunteer service award, South Texas College Phi Theta Kappa International Honor Society all the years she attended, South Texas Associate Degree of Arts Social Sciences/Social Work. She also helped South Texas College become more handicapped accessible. Michelle's achievements helped her to receive a scholarship to Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio.

Michelle headed to San Antonio to continue her higher education, but life brought some detours that led her to San Antonio Hope Center. She served and worked at San Antonio Hope Center since 2014. Michelle believed that you are your best advocate. She enjoyed helping people to become their better selves.

In 2020, Michelle diagnosed with kidney failure. She was strong and endured many medical treatments and procedures until her final day on February 1, 2026.

Michelle is preceded in death by her father Armando Palacio, her son Nicholas A. Cortez, her maternal grandmother Maria Perez, her maternal grandfather Santos Perez.

Michelle is survived by her son Michael A. Cortez, and his wife Victoria, her oldest daughter Maria Elizabeth Castro, her youngest daughter Marissa Michelle Castro as well as her 7 grandchildren. She is also survived by her mother Amada Palacio, and her siblings Luis F. Lurvey, Lisa M. Diaz (Richard), Carolyn San Miguel (Ernesto), Lillian Lurvey, Vivian L. Palacio, and Cassandra E. Sanchez (Pedro) along with numerous nieces and nephews and her cat Riley.

Michelle's smile, laughter, thoughtfulness and love will forever remain in our hearts.