Cruz Ramirez Leal of Corpus Christi, devoted wife, loving mother and grandmother, and astute businesswomen, was received into the arms of her Lord and Savior on March 5, 2018 at the age of 92. She was the last of nine siblings to pass away. Cruz was born in Dripping Springs, Texas (the ‘hill country’) and was raised in Portland, Texas.
She went to work at Navy Overhaul and Repair at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, eventually finding a job as a ‘Rosie the Riveter.’ It was there that she met, and in 1950 married, her beloved husband Antonio “Tony” Falcon Leal.
She moved with him to Corpus Christi, Texas, where they raised their four children. Cruz was always a generous soul, passionate about family and caregiving. She was caregiver for her mother, her mother-in-law, and her sister-in-law, and also volunteered at a neighborhood nursing home. Her husband was her most cherished caregiving assignment, a task she carried out faithfully for many years after he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. She taught her children by example what love and nurturing meant, especially ‘til death do us part.’ It was her most enduring life lesson to all those around her.
Cruz was very outgoing and social, loved to visit and have visitors, and welcomed everyone with food. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy and she loved to spend time with them, as well as with her children. She loved to garden, puttering about in her flowerbeds at home. With her husband she frequently went dancing, and they were members of a local trail ride group for many years. She also became involved with agribusiness, a job she grew to love with La Trinidad Ranch.
Cruz was preceded in death by her husband Tony; infant son, Robert Antonio Leal; her parents; and eight siblings.
She is succeeded by four children: George Antonio (Barbara) Leal; Tony F. Leal, Jr.; and Robert Leal of Corpus Christi; and Gloria Leal White (the late Bruce White) of Richmond, Texas. She is also succeeded by five grandchildren: granddaughters, Jamie McCown and Danielle Harrison and grandsons, Brandon White, Austin Leal, and Zachary Leal. There are numerous nieces, nephews, and cousins that will live on to cherish Cruz’s memory as well.
The family wishes to thank our most loving and dependable caregiver, Patricia Nelson, along with Dr. Charles Breeling and his staff.
Visitation will take place on Friday, March 16, 2018 from 4:00 PM until 9:00 PM at Memory Gardens Funeral home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78415, with Rosary to follow at 8:00 PM, that same evening.
Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Saturday, March 17 at 10:00 AM at St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1302 Lantana Street, Corpus Christi, Texas, 78407.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to St. Theresa Catholic Church, 1302 Lantana Street, Corpus Christi, Texas 78407.
