Rosario Flores Garcia

Rosario Flores Garcia peacefully lost her battle with cancer on Sunday, May 12, 2019 in Laredo, Texas. Rosario was born on October 8, 1941 in Laredo to parents Porfirio and Esperanza Flores and was the eldest of four daughters. She was a proud graduate of Martin High School and thereafter received her Bachelor’s Degree from the Incarnate Word College in San Antonio, Texas. She met and fell in love with Julio A. Garcia whom she married in 1964.  She and Julio, a distinguished and well-respected attorney in Laredo for over forty years, had three children: Leticia Lourdes, Cristina Cecilia, and Julio A. Garcia, Jr. Rosario was a dedicated and admired teacher at Nye and Clark Elementary Schools and her dedication to her craft was a testament to her many students who fondly remember her as one of their favorites, many continuing their friendships with her for many years later, returning to introduce her to their own children and looking for their mentor to give her their thanks and express gratitude for the learning and life skills which she was proud to instill in each of them.  Maintaining these relationships with her prior pupils long into her future filled her heart with joy and pride. She was directly instrumental in the development of the first bilingual pilot programs adopted in Texas and thereafter throughout the United States.  She later became a “teacher of teachers” serving as a field mentor and supervisor of the TAMIU students in Education completing their four-year degree plans to become licensed educators in Texas. In 2007, Rosario was the recipient of the Texas State Teacher of the Year award for the Homeless Coalition Network.  Later, in 2013, Rosario was the recipient of the Hands Across South Texas Award recognizing her outstanding work with children from low-income families.  In 2014, the Next Generation Rotary bestowed upon her the Unsung Heroes Award.   Thereafter, in 2017, she received the Webb County Liberty Award for her work directing the La Luz De Esperanza program at Bethany House of Laredo.  Indeed, Rosario’s receipt of this award for community service while serving in her position as the Director of the Bethany House “La Luz De Esperanza Learning Center” might well in fact have been predestined as the name “Esperanza” was Rosario’s mother’s name, and indeed the late Esperanza Flores was one of Laredo’s first educators and likewise a recognized community service activist herself. Other community participations of Rosario’s have included the United Way, the WBCA council, and the Princess Pocahontas Council.  She served as a board member of the Laredo Philharmonic Orchestra and the Newman Campus Ministry at Texas A&M International University. Rosario bore strong religious convictions and was a faithful parishioner of St. Patrick and St. John Neumann Churches in Laredo.  She forged and maintained long-standing friendships with the brothers of the Congregation of St. John as well as the sisters from the Sisters of Mercy and the Ursuline Sisters in Laredo. Rosario was a life-long student and lover of music, a trait instilled in her by her father, the late Porfirio Flores, who served as Sheriff for many decades in Laredo, and who also happened to be a classically trained pianist. Porfirio frequently accompanied his daughter, Rosario, for musical concerts at the Laredo Civic Center.  The Flores sisters, in fact, were introduced to and learned to love culturally advanced music, art and dance from their parents, leading to many much-anticipated gatherings and soirees at the Flores residence. Rosario possessed a beautifully trained tenor and later, an alto, singing voice. She initially became involved in choirs while at Martin High School and later while at University.  She was a proud member of the choirs at St. Patrick’s and St. John Neumann’s churches. She was also a member of the Laredo Philharmonic Chorale, a group so impressive that they were invited to perform at the famous Carnegie Hall in New York City. Rosario spoke frequently of her pride, joy and excitement of performing at such an iconic and famous music venue.    It is fitting that her last day on Earth was Mother’s Day, for she was exactly that to so many, well-known for helping those in need, regardless of the matter or time of day when providing her time and effort to anyone requesting it of her.  The compassion she had for the less fortunate, especially for the children who were homeless, was truly remarkable and admired by many.  Her true rewards were the stories of lessons learned and successes earned.  She was an inspiration to all who knew her and reminded us daily to savor every moment and to live and love to the fullest.  “Rosy” or “Mama Rose” as she was affectionately referred to by her grandchildren, was a supportive wife, a pioneering educator, a familial corner-stone, a loving grandmother, and a fierce friend to an innumerable amount of people.  Rosario had expressed her gratitude for her team of physicians at M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and her local physicians, Dr. Armando R. Hinojosa and Dr. Mohsen Ghadimi-Mahani. She was preceded in death by her parents, Porfirio and Esperanza Flores, her husband, Julio A. Garcia, her daughter, Cristina; her sister, Marilu Flores Gruben; her brother-in-law, William Dickinson; her sister-in-law, Laura Garcia; and her beloved nephews, George and Alfonso Magnon. Left to cherish her memory are her daughter, Leticia Lourdes; her son, Julio A. Garcia, Jr.; her daughter-in-law, Sonya; her sisters, Gloria Dickinson and Silvia Jones; her brother-in-laws, Jeff Jones, and William Gruben; her grandchildren, Zoe, Julio, III, and Ben, as well as numerous nieces and nephews. Rosario’s care-giver and close friend, Elizabeth (Beti) Olivares Hernandez, held a special place in her heart as she was at Rosario, and her family’s, side throughout many years of her life. Rosario Flores Garcia made this corner of the world a better place in which to live and she will be truly missed.  A Rosary will be recited on Saturday, May 18, 2019 at 9:30 a.m. in the Hillside Funeral Home chapel.  A visitation will be held from 9:00 a.m. to 11:15 a.m. A Mass will be held at St. John Neumann Catholic Church at 11:30 a.m. Interment will follow to the family plot at the Calvary Catholic Cemetery. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that you make donations to a charity of your choice.If you would like to sign the guestbook or send private condolences, you may do so at www.hillsidefuneral.com Arrangements are under the direction of Hillside Funeral Home, 310 Hillside Road.