Obituary of Herminia Lopez

Funeral Service Friday, Mar 23, 2018 10:00 AM Herminia Lopez September 11, 1942 - March 16, 2018 Herminia “Minnie” Garza Lopez entered Heaven on March 16, 2018. She was born on September 11, 1942, to Fidencio Garza and Soledad Peña Garza in Alamo, Texas. She was the youngest of eight children and often spoke of how she looked up to her brothers and sisters with pride. Minnie was married to Juan Francisco Lopez for over 35 years of love, laughter, and family. Minnie may have been small in physical stature, but she was a woman of towering strength, intellect, faith, and love. She made a friend wherever she went and was quick to give of whatever she had. Through her endless love, she was a mother to many and was once described as “the best second mother a man could have.” She was a faithful member of St. Mary of the Immaculate Conception Catholic Church of La Porte for over 40 years. Before her retirement, Minnie worked as a clerk and loan officer for Bayshore National Bank and at DuPont (now Beacon) Federal Credit Union. She also owned a home-based notary and income tax business where she offered guidance and kindness to many. Minnie enjoyed learning and continued to take college courses well into her 60’s. She would always sit in the front row and was not afraid to ask challenging questions. She also enjoyed sharing her knowledge as an English as a second language volunteer teacher and there was a special place in her heart for her many students. An avid gardener, she loved to grow all kinds of plants, but was especially fond of flowers. Minnie was predeceased by her husband, Juan Francisco Lopez, her parents, three sisters, and two brothers. She is survived by her brothers, Homero Garza and Roberto Garza, her children, Irene and Vito Larucci of Downer’s Grove, Illinois, Sonia “Rey” and Michael Mader of San Antonio, Texas, John and Molly Lopez of Austin, Texas, Belinda and John Dunkel of La Porte, Texas, and Olivia and Toni Deboeck of Silver Spring, Maryland. She is also survived by twenty grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Visitation will be on Thursday, March 22 at the Paul U Lee Funeral Home beginning at 5:00 p.m. with a Rosary at 7:00 p.m. A Funeral Mass will be held at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on Friday, March 23rd at 10:00 a.m. followed by interment at Grand View Cemetery in Deer Park, Texas. All are invited to a reception at St Mary’s following interment. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that donations be made to the St. Vincent de Paul Society of St. Mary’s Catholic Church, La Porte (www.stmaryslaporte.com) or Finca del Niño, a Catholic orphanage in Honduras (www.farmofthechild.org).