Ramona R Saenz's Obituary
With heavy hearts and profound love, we announce the passing of Ramona R. Saenz, lovingly known as Tia Mona to her family and friends, who entered eternal rest on March 22, 2026, at the age of 88. Born on November 17, 1937, she lived a life beautifully rooted in faith, family, and devotion to others.
She was preceded in death by her beloved husband of 51 years, Abel S. Saenz; her parents, Margarito Rodriguez and Isidra Lopez; and her cherished siblings: Maria Morin, Martha R. Peña, Manuela Rodriguez, Margarita Rivas, Erasmo Rodriguez, Roberto Rodriguez, Rufino Rodriguez, and Agustin Rodriguez.
A lifelong resident of Rio Grande City, Ramona was a woman of deep and unwavering faith whose love for God guided her every day. Raised as a devout Catholic, her faith remained the foundation of her life. She found joy in life’s simplest moments and treasured every second spent with her family. Her heart was generous and her presence a source of comfort to all who knew her. Ramona was always giving to others, leaving a lasting impression through her thoughtfulness and compassion. She never met a stranger and had a natural way of making everyone feel welcomed and at ease.
She was the heart and matriarch of her family, a steady presence through every season of life. Ramona was a devoted and loving mother to Monica S. Silva and Laura-Zelda S. Villarreal (Artemio), raising them with strength, grace, and enduring values. She was a proud and adoring grandmother to Melanie Denice Cobb (James W. Cobb), Megan Rae Silva (Oliver Chapa Jr.), Anyssa Sarina Villarreal, Abel Justin Silva, and Amalie Karina Villarreal, each of whom she loved deeply. Her love extended to her great-grandchildren—Cameron James Cobb, Enzo Olivero Chapa, and Arlo Cristiano Chapa—who brought her immense joy and pride.
Ramona had a special way of sharing her faith, her wisdom, and most importantly, her love with her family. She held a deeply sentimental connection to her rosaries, collecting them over the years and treasuring each one as a reflection of her faith. She had a deep love for the Miraculous Medal and the Sacred Heart of Jesus, which were especially meaningful to her. She found great joy in sharing and gifting rosaries to those she loved. Even as Alzheimer’s and dementia gradually took pieces of her memory in later years, her warmth, her presence, and her love never faded. Though she may not have remembered every name, she never lost the deep connection she shared with her family.
She dedicated over 40 years of service to Ramirez Firestone & Ramirez Ford, where she was admired for her hard work, loyalty, and kindness. It was there that she met many people and built lasting friendships, both within the workplace and throughout the community. Her coworkers became a second family, and it remained a place she was proud to call home until her retirement. Outside of work, she cherished the time she spent with her beloved husband, Abel, at their ranches, La Sal Colorada and The Wishbone. You could often find her keeping a Werther’s candy jar and coconut macaroon cookies in her kitchen, always maintaining a stocked fridge with all of her grandchildren’s favorite snacks, sitting outside on her porch swing, tending to her beautiful valley lemon trees, and cheering on her Dallas Cowboys. She always seemed to have a special gift tucked away in her “Mary Poppins” purse or in the trunk of her car—thoughtfully shared with her grandchildren, family, and friends, even without a special occasion.
Ramona will be remembered for her unwavering faith, her strength, and the unconditional love she shared so freely. The love she poured into her family will continue to guide them, and her memory will live on in all who were blessed to know her.
We would like to share that services for our mom, Ramona R. Saenz, will be held at Hernandez Funeral Home.
Visitation will be held on Wednesday, March 25th from 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM, with a Rosary at 6:00 PM.
Visitation will continue Thursday at 9:00 AM, followed by Mass at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church at 2:00 PM.
Burial will follow at 3:00 PM at the Rio Grande City County Cemetery on Fairground Road.
We are deeply grateful for the love, prayers, and support during this difficult time.
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