Melicia "Mitzie" Olivarez

Melicia “Mitzie” Olivarez Rio Grande City-Melicia “Mitzie” Olivarez, 56, moved on from this world on Thursday March 16, 2023, surrounded by her loved ones at Starr County Memorial Hospital. Mitzie had been employed at RGCGISD for 27 years as secretary in the GT Department, and later as a secretary in the Curriculum Department. She was well known for her strong work ethic as well as her philosophy that things be done promptly and correctly. She was very organized and always on task. Mitzie was always willing to help anyone, and she believed that things got accomplished more readily by everyone working together. One of Mitzie’s greatest qualities was her faith and her deep devotion to her church- Immaculate Conception. She was a catechist for 28 years and started by teaching Second Grade Communion and more recently Confirmation I and II. She also wrote the curriculum that was used by her parish for all religious education. Everyone that knew her could sense the profound faith and love that she had for educating her “pollitos”, as she lovingly referred to her students. The connection between her and the students was obvious to anyone who would observe her classes. Her Spiritual Director once told her that one of the reasons for these deep connections was that she had a “child-like and pure faith” which made it easier for her to establish the bonds that would always form with her “pollitos”. Mitzie was also known to many as a second mom. She was very involved in helping out her husband when he was Head Band Director at Rio Grande City High School. She formed a bond with these students also that has lasted through this day, with many students still referring to her as “mom”. Mitzie was a beacon of hope and faith for many that needed guidance or advice with personal matters and decisions, especially those that were undergoing medical issues like herself. Mitzie fought the good fight against cancer for the past 6 ½ years. Her example of faith and hope while undergoing her ordeal served and continues to serve as a great source of inspiration for others. Mitzie was a loving, caring, and devoted wife, mother, daughter, sister, cousin, aunt, relative and friend. She is survived by her husband of almost 38 years, Rogerio Olivarez, her daughter Monique Rene Olivarez, her parents Innocente and Alma Castillo, her brothers Rene (Cynthia) Fuentes, Cosme (Rachel) Castillo, and Orlando (Letty) Castillo, her honorary sisters Velma Esparza and Araceli Barrientos, as well as many uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews, and cousins. The family would like to thank everyone at Texas Oncology, especially Dr. Alvaro Restrepo, the NP’s, Diana Rodriguez, and her chemo nurse Gilbert as well as the other chemo nurses, for the loving care that she received during the past years. Mitzie never saw them as health care providers, she saw them as family and friends. A special thank you to Dr. Antonio Falcon for his care during her medical battle, and to Starr County Memorial Hospital for going out of their way to provide loving comfort and care to Mitzie during her final days. Thank you, Mitzie, for not only showing us how to live, but for also showing us how to depart this Earthly existence with unwavering faith and dignity. One of Mitzie’s last wishes was that a stuffed plush toy animal be brought to the funeral home by visitors so they can be displayed around the area while her viewing is taking place. The new ones with tags would then be boxed and sent to local children’s hospitals under the name “Friends of Mitzie Olivarez.” Services have been entrusted to Hernandez Funeral Home in Rio Grande City. Viewing for the immediate family will be on Sunday, March 19, 2023, from 11:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Viewing for the public will continue from 1:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. with a rosary scheduled for 7:00 p.m. Father Eduardo Ortega will lead a special prayer after the rosary. Funeral Mass will be celebrated by Father Ortega at 11:00 a.m. on Monday, Mach 20, 2023, at Immaculate Conception Church in Rio Grande City. Burial will follow at the county cemetery located on Fairgrounds Road.

Melicia "Mitzie" Olivarez

September 14, 1966 - March 16, 2023