Anita Villarreal

Weslaco, Texas/Saginaw, Michigan - Anita (Anna) Maria Villarreal, 69, passed away on Sunday, May 31, 2020, at McAllen Medical Center. Anna was born in Weslaco, Texas, on April 7, 1951 to Martin Aguirre and Isabel Rivera Aguirre.

Anna grew up in Weslaco, the seventh child in a family of twelve siblings. She and her siblings were always very close during childhood and grew even closer as adults. After graduating from Weslaco High School, Anna began a career with the Texas Migrant Council and was often assigned to travel to Michigan. During one of these trips, Anna attended a dance at Delta College in Saginaw, Michigan, where she met her future husband, Isabel Villarreal, Jr. Isabel and Anna courted for many years while he finished up a career in the US Army. They communicated long distance, and as soon as he retired, they were married on January 1, 1980.

Anna attended college at Saginaw Valley State University nearly completing her degree, all while raising two sons, Isabel III "Izzy", and Martin. While her husband Isabel Jr. worked for General Motors, the couple opened a video store, Rio Grande Video, specializing in Spanish television shows and movies. After Isabel Jr. retired from GM, he and Anna moved back to Weslaco to be with Anna's family.

Though they spent a majority of their lives in Michigan, Anna and Isabel Jr. visited multiple times annually to spend time with Anna's parents, Martin and Isabel Aguirre, who often joined Anna’s family on trips across the country. Traveling to New York, Niagara Falls, Disneyland, Las Vegas, Atlanta, and numerous other historical sites. The time they spent together was priceless and always very special to her.

Once Jesus blessed Anna with grandchildren, her heart was full. Her grandchildren were her pride and joy. She loved attending their award ceremonies and spoiling them, taking them shopping and introducing them to new foods and life experiences. She will always be remembered for bringing her famous dessert to every festive occasion. Anna loved all her siblings and her nephews and nieces. She and her brothers and sisters often got together for breakfast or to just enjoy each others’ company or to play chalupa. Anna shared just over 40 years with the love of her life Isabel Jr. who were an inseparable pair. They could always be found attending mass on Sundays at the Shrine in San Juan.

Anna is now in heaven, enjoying a game of "chalupa" with her parents, Martin and Isabel Aguirre, brother, Frank Aguirre, sister, Guadalupe Francese, and niece, Veronica Francese.

She is survived by her loving husband, Isabel Villarreal Jr., children, Isabel Villarreal III (Cathy) of Weslaco, Martin Villarreal (Monica) of College Park, MD, grandchildren, Sorelle and Sveyah Villarreal. Her siblings, Nora Cantu (Arturo+) of McAllen, Rosie Cuellar (Alfredo) of Weslaco, Johnny Aguirre (Eva) of Weslaco, Dolores Vega (Rene) of Mercedes, Adela Carrillo (Mario) of Pharr, Martha Cavazos (Juan Jr.) of Weslaco, Josie Ramos (Manuel) of Weslaco, Delia Cardenas (Rudy) of Donna, and Diana Frazier (Jeff) of Olive Branch, MS, and numerous nephews and nieces.

Visitation will be Wednesday, June 3rd, 1-9 pm, with a Holy Rosary at 7 pm at McCaleb Funeral Home. A chapel service will be Thursday, June 4th, 11 am at McCaleb Funeral Home, with burial to immediately follow at Rio Grande Valley State Cemetery in Mission, Texas. Father Francisco Solis of St. Joan of Arc, Catholic Church in Weslaco, will be officiating.

Serving as pallbearers will be Juan Aguirre brother, Freddy Cuellar-nephew, Jacob Cavazos-nephew, Joseph Cavazos-nephew, Frank Aguirre-nephew, Israel Vega- nephew.