Hortencia Lopez

Hortencia Lopez entered into eternal rest on Monday, January 1, 2024, at her home in Rio Grande City, at the age of 87 years. She was born August 14, 1936, to the late Ramon and Aurora Lopez. Hortencia was a lifelong resident of Rio Grande City. She was employed with the Rio Grande City School District for over 48 years, where she made many lifelong friends who shared her love for teaching. She taught English at Rio Grande City High School and was proudly committed to ensuring a quality education to all her students until her retirement in 1993. Hortencia was a member of the Texas State Teachers of America, National Council of English Teachers, Kappa Delta Phi, American Federation of Teachers Association, and Preceptor delta Phi of Beta Sigma Phi. Throughout her life, she enjoyed traveling through most of the United States, including Hawaii. In addition, she traveled extensively in Mexico, traveled in five provinces in Canada, and visited the northern part of South America. Her fondest memories were chaperoning trips to Monterrey, Mexico, California, and Florida, and taking the 1971 Student Council to Washington D.C. and had an audience with President Nixon. In 1992, Hope Masonic Lodge No.471 of Rio Grande City presented the prestigiousCommunity Leader Award to Hortencia for her outstanding unselfish contributions to the community. This award was presented to recognize outstanding individuals who are non-Mason for their contribution to society. Hortencia will be dearly missed by her living family and those that came to know her. She was preceded in death by her parents Ramon and Aurora Lopez, and her sister Amada (Ernesto) Garcia. Left to cherish her memory is her loving sister, Amelia (Lynusꝉ)Hickman, and her devoted brother, Enrique (Ninfa)Lopez; Her joy, Monica and Edio (Yosely) Estrada Jr., who she helped raise, and her many nieces and nephews who loved her dearly. Visitation will be held Thursday, Jan. 4, 2024, at Hernandez Funeral Home, 701 E. Eisenhower from 1:00 PM- 8:00 PM with the recital of the Holy Rosary at 6:00 PM. Viewing continues on Friday, January 5, 2024, from 8:00 AM to 1:45 PM, with Funeral Mass at 2:00 PM at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church, with burial services to follow at Rio Grande City Cemetery at 3:00 PM. Funeral Services are entrusted to Hernandez Funerals in Rio Grande City. Remember Me “Fill not your hearts with Pain and sorrow, but remember Me in every tomorrow. Remember the joy, the laughter, The smiles and all those things we enjoyed doing. I have gone to rest a little while. Although my leaving May cause pain and grief, My going has eased my hurt and given me relief. So please dry your eyes And remember me not as I am now, But as I used to be- Because I will remember you all and look on With a smile. Please understand in your hearts that I have gone to rest a little while. And as long as I Have the love of each One of you, I can Live my life in the Hearts of all of you.” -Tencha

Hortencia Lopez

August 14, 1936 - January 1, 2024