Elma Pena

Weslaco- Elma Cynthia Peña, 52, went to be with her Lord and Savior on Saturday, December 29th, 2018, after a courageous battle with cancer. Elma was born on December 12th, 1966 to Esteban Pena and Elma Barrera Peña near Reynosa, Mexico. She was raised in Mexico with her two sisters. Elma was fortunate enough to attend school and earn her Bachelor's degree. She fell in love in her late teens and married Jaime Salinas. They enjoyed the next thirty years together and raised three children, Jaime Jr., Lauro, and Karla. They eventually moved to the United States when the children were in grade school. Elma and Jaime instilled the value of education and were blessed with having them all attend college. Elma will be remembered by many for her patience and kindness and love of children. She spent most of her career teaching kinder garden, much of that at Stainke Elementary in Donna. She also had a very strong work ethic and instilled that in her children, working to help Jaime support the family. Elma loved to exercise, and many will remember her from aerobics, she especially loved Zumba. She enjoyed bike riding and gardening. Elma and Jaime had an extraordinary and romantic relationship. They loved to cook together, and the kitchen seemed to spark a special connection, making creative meals with love. Above all else, Elma was a devout Christian woman who had a solid faith and love for Christ. She displayed Christ's love in her daily life and through her teaching and raising her own children. Elma is preceded in death by her father, Esteban Peña. She is survived by her loving husband, Jaime Salinas Sr. of thirty years, her mom, Elma Barrera, sons, Lauro Salinas and Jaime Salinas Jr., both of Austin, Karla Salinas of Weslaco, sisters, Aleida Carranza (Luis) and Gisela Villañueva (Victor), brothers in law, Pedro Salinas and Hugo Salinas, sisters in law, Margarita Tamez (Tato), Marucha Garza (Jorge), and Lulu Gomez (Serafin), and numerous nephews and nieces.