Sarah Cronfel Ochoa

Sarah Cronfel Ochoa Sarah Cronfel Ochoa, passed into eternity on September 25, 2103, surrounded by her loving family members, after a long and courageous battle with cancer. Sarah was born in Tela, Honduras, on October 27, 1931, one of six daughters born to George S. Cronfel, a native of Bethlehem and Sara Leiva Cronfel, from Tegucigalpa, Honduras. The family later immigrated to New Orleans and ultimately settled in Laredo. From her earliest days, Sarah displayed the character traits of honesty, fairness and perseverance that would mark her entire life. In three years, she completed high school with honors at St. Augustine High School. She then attended Laredo Junior College, where she was an outstanding student and a popular member of the freshman women’s basketball team. She transferred to The University of Texas at Austin and, in 1955, received a Bachelor of Science degree in pharmacy and was one of only two women in her graduating class. Along the way, she was inducted into Kappa Epsilon, an honorary national sorority for women in pharmacy. In 1963, after marrying, Sarah returned to Laredo to become one of the first female pharmacists in the community. She was an effective, professional business woman operating three drug stores while always being active in professional organizations, including the Webb County and Texas Pharmaceutical Associations. She also served as a Preceptor for the externship program of the College of Pharmacy at The University of Texas. She eagerly accepted requests to speak at career days at the various high schools, hoping to encourage students to pursue a career in pharmacy. Sarah was a devout Roman Catholic, who served her faith as an active parishioner at Blessed Sacrament Church. She was a member of the parish council and a Eucharistic Minister. She was also a Lady Commander of the Equestrian Order of the Holy Sepulchre of Jerusalem. In 2010, the Patriarch of Jerusalem presented her with the coveted Pilgrim Shell after she fulfilled her vow to visit the Holy Land. Sarah is preceded in death by her parents, her son Dr. Miguel Ochoa, her sisters Consuelo and Stella Cronfel and her niece Dr. Marissa Keene. She is survived by her son Guillermo, daughter Sophia Martinez (Guillermo) and son, Ricardo, as well as, by her sisters Argentina Cronfel Meurer, Ada Cronfel, and Dr. Gladys Cronfel Keene (Dr. Roger). She is also survived by two grandsons, Zachary and Blake. On an occasion when Sarah was being honored as one of the eleven most outstanding women in Laredo, she described her life motto as: “Set your mind on goals and with God’s help and perseverance you can accomplish those goals.” When she appeared before her Heavenly Father on Wednesday, she surely heard these words, “Well done good and faithful servant.” The family would like to offer special thanks to Dr. Ralph Nimchan, Dr. Eduardo Miranda, Dr. Rafael Deliz and Dr. Luis Benavides and to all the nurses and health care providers from Doctors Hospital and the home health care providers; a sincere gratitude to Mr. Juan Canavati and the personnel of STAR Ambulance. A rosary will be recited on Sunday, September 29, 2013 at 7:00 pm in the Hillside Funeral Home Chapel at 310 Hillside Rd. Visitation will be from 6:00 to 9:00 pm. A mass of the Resurrection will be celebrated at 9:00 a.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church on Monday, September 30, 2013. There will be no formal procession, guests wishing to attend, please meet at church. Interment will follow at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Guillermo Ochoa-Cronfel, Ricardo Ochoa, Guillermo Martinez, Dr. Roger Keene, Mark Keene, Rusty Meurer, Frank Meurer, Zachary Ochoa, Blake Ochoa and Robert Holliday. In lieu of flowers please make a donation to the charity of your choice or to the Marissa C. Keene Memorial Fund at P.O. Box 450329, Laredo, Texas, 78045. If you would like to sign the guest book or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.