Dorothy Louise Kowalski Longoria was born on the 4th of May 1919, in Fort Worth, Texas, and passed away peacefully on the 6th of April 2012, Good Friday and her mother's birthday, surrounded by her family.
She is survived by her loving and devoted family, Adriana Longoria, Eduardo Longoria, Jr., Sylvia Longoria and her husband, Tommy Dorsey, and Shelby Longoria and his wife, Tita; and her pride and joy, her grandchildren and great grandchildren, Raymond Hart, Forrest Hart, Adriana Banks, Alejandra and Alfonso Arguindegui and their children, Ilan, Alejandro and Ana Sophia; Eduardo Longoria III, Bernardo and Pamela Longoria and their children, Anabella and Alexa; Gabriel and Sophia Longoria; Elizabeth and Zack Fertitta and their children, Angelina, Zachary; Thomas and Kristin Dorsey and their son, Thomas III; Robert Edward “Wayo” Dorsey, Adrienne Longoria, Sarah Longoria and Shelby Longoria II. She is also survived by her sister, Melita Cullinan. She is preceded in death by the love of her life, her husband, the late Eduardo Longoria Theriot.
Dorothy led a long and energetic life mostly in Nuevo Laredo, Mexico. During World War II, she worked as a Grey Lady at the Laredo Air Force Base. Her civic involvements were numerous, including: Civic Music of Laredo at the Mercy Hospital Auxiliary. She was a charter member of the Cotillion Club of Laredo and the Women's City Community Club. She served on the board of directors of the Incarnate Word College in San Antonio and the Gladys Porter Zoo in Brownsville. She also worked as a volunteer for the American Red Cross. She was a member of the Pan-American Round Table, the Ruth Cowl Rehabilitation Center and served on the board of the Laredo Philharmonic. She worked diligently for Colegio Mexico, a boys school in Nuevo Laredo, where she was instrumental in acquiring a campus and the building for the new school. She organized the Ladies Hospital Auxiliary at Sanatorio Isabel in Nuevo Laredo. She taught catechism for the Sagrado Corazon church and worked for the La Granja Orphanage and Casa Hogar.
Dorothy Louise was the eldest of Louis and Dorothy Kowalski's six children. The Kowalski's were all full of love and light. Louis and Dorothy both played the piano. Dorothy Louise and her father were very talented and played outstanding duets, especially when playing John Philip Souza's marches. Their home on Farragut Street in Laredo was called "Grand Central Station" by her sister Rosalie. Just imagine six beautiful children in this house, where all one's friends were welcome.
Dorothy Louise was "Homecoming Queen" at Laredo High School, a testament to her popularity. She remained impeccably well dressed and always beautiful throughout her life. She was courted by Eduardo "Wayo" Longoria while living at the Farragut house. They were married on the 4th of July 1942, in Nuevo Laredo. The Longoria family had a strong work ethic, so their honeymoon consisted of going to Reynosa, Mexico where Wayo could keep an eye on his cotton business.
Dorothy Louise had many interests. She loved music, singing, playing the guitar and piano and had a beautiful voice, which she frequently displayed at family gatherings. Being a lover of beauty, she started an interior design studio which she called "Decor", with her great friend Felo Faz. Her daughter Sylvia followed in her footsteps opening her own store in Houston "Longoria Collection."
Dorothy's greatest gift was her love for her husband Wayo. She always thought of him as the most handsome man she had ever seen. It was heartwarming for her children to see her so in love with her husband. When Wayo passed away in 2005, Dorothy Louise moved to Houston to be close to her daughters.
The Family desires to express their deepest appreciation and gratitude to Dr. Randal Weber, Dr. Cezar Iliescu, Dr. Holly Holmes and Dr. Tejpal Grover and to Cynthia Coffman who was always a great support. Also, the family is so deeply grateful to Mela Guzman for her loving care and devotion to Dorothy.
A memorial service to celebrate Dorothy's life is to be conducted at two o'clock in the afternoon on Wednesday, the 11th of April, at The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Boulevard in Houston, where the Rev. Dr. Douglas W. Richnow, Senior Associate Rector, is to officiate.
Immediately following, all are invited to greet the family during a reception at a venue to be announced during the service.
Serving as honorary pall bearers during Wednesday’s services are her grandsons: Raymond Pate Hart, Forrest Edward Hart, Eduardo "Wayo" Longoria III, Shelby Luis Longoria II, James Thomas Dorsey Jr., Robert Edward "Wayo" Dorsey, Alfonso Arguindegui and Zachary Brown Fertitta.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Dorothy's memory may be directed to The Church of St. John the Divine, 2450 River Oaks Blvd, Houston, TX, 77019.
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