Dolores G Vargas

WESLACO – Dolores (Lola, as she was affectionately called) Vargas, born March 13, 1922, passed away on Wednesday, July 1, 2015 at the age of 93. She was the daughter of Dionicio Gonzalez and Santos Cavazos. She was born and lived in Ojo de Agua, Texas, later named Abram. She was the ninth of twelve children, all of whom attended school in La Joya. Her father passed away when she was only 11 years old, at which time she and her siblings became an even tighter knit family with their mother. She grew up having the utmost respect and great love for her oldest brother, M. C. Gonzalez, who became the head of household, provider and father figure when her mother became a single parent. Growing up in a predominately agricultural environment, she understood that lack of material wealth did not prevent anyone from giving of oneself. Her life reflected Christ in the way she gave of herself, her perseverance and her prayerful life.

Family was always a priority for Lola; her family could always count on her. She helped her cousin on a daily basis, when her cousin was a young mother with several children. Those children, now grown with grown families of their own, still remember “Tia” with great fondness. A niece recalls her aunt busily multitasking between household responsibilities and family needs, teaching her basic preschool knowledge of numbers and letters to prepare her for kindergarten and later how to read, all while tending to household chores. Her sisters often remembered and spoke of her exceptional ironing skills. When they needed to look their absolute best and professional, she was their go-to sister. Also remembered are the precious little girls’ clothing made out of pretty, printed flour sacks, which she so lovingly created. As a young lady, she was employed through the National Youth Administration/War Manpower Commission, contributing to the war effort; and with this job, in cooperation with other siblings, she helped put her youngest sister through higher education in San Antonio.

Her love for her mother was clearly shown as she called her daily and visited her every Sunday afternoon, even after she married her husband, Josue Vargas, in 1946. Her love for her children was no less. She devoted her life to raising their six children. Her daughter recalls her mother being up at 5:00 AM daily to pray the Rosary for them. Her sons recall the hours spent to create her exquisite pumpkin-filled empanadas. And while dessert may not have accompanied every dinner, homemade meals were faithfully prepared daily, served with her delicious tortillas. Her love flowed just as freely to her grandchildren. She helped raise grandchildren, who lived locally, while their parents worked; and she traveled across the country and over the sea to help grandchildren far away who needed her. Nightly, she prayed for all family members, those near, those far and those departed. She taught us about the “communion of saints” through example. She taught us to pray always. She taught us what it means to persevere through health struggles and material hardships. She taught us to love with whatever gifts God has given us.

Lola is preceded in death by her parents Dionicio and Santos Gonzalez; her siblings Carlota, Leonor Ochoa, Macario C., Jose, Margarito, Canuto, Gilberto, Manuela Ochoa, Maria De Luna and Ramon; and her husband Josue and daughter Carolina. She is survived by her sister Trinidad Bazan, her children Maricela (Isaac) Cantu, Josue (Tracy) USMC, retired, Juan (Norma), Jesus and Jaime (Juanita), 10 grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren, and numerous nieces and nephews—all of whom she loved, prayed for and will doubtlessly continue to do so in her new life.

McCaleb Funeral Home in Weslaco is in charge of her funeral arrangements.