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Anna Galindo was born in San Antonio, Texas, February 24, 1943, to parents Alex Galindo, Sr. and Ester Orosco Galindo. She passed away December 24, 2022, at the age of 79, after a long battle with Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) and related complications. Anna lived a life of service: to God, her country, her family and friends. Anna graduated from Luther Burbank High School, San Antonio, in 1961. She joined the US Armed Forces (Army) after high school and duty stations included military installations in California and Alaska. Anna was blessed with one daughter, Carmie Galindo. Upon becoming a single mom, Anna left active duty for civil service and the Army Reserves. While in the Army Reserves, Anna served in Desert Storm. She attained the rank of master sergeant and knew intuitively when someone with whom she was charged with mentoring was struggling, whether on the job, or in their personal lives, offering support in many forms at critical times. Most of her civil career was spent at Fort Sam Houston Army Base, San Antonio. Anna was a clinical laboratory scientist for 30 plus years. She was proud of the work she did and set an excellent example of what an employee should be. One of her former, long-time supervisors and lifelong friends said Anna was greatly respected for her practical and professional wisdom and exemplary work ethic. Anna retired from civil service in 2002 and was grateful for the many years of retired life she enjoyed. In the early 1970’s, Anna miraculously lived through a car accident that appeared unsurvivable, as God still had plans for her on earth. In December of 1972, Anna lost her sole sibling, her brother Alex Galindo, Jr. At the time of his death, Alex (Junior as she called him) was raising his seven children on his own, with their ages ranging from 18 to 6. Anna insisted the family (her nieces and nephews) remain together and took them all in, raising them as her own, and referring to them as her kids. She bore this incredible responsibility at the age of just 29. Throughout her life, Anna was of slight frame. What she lacked in stature and bulk, she made up for with her commanding attitude and perseverance. With God’s guidance, Anna saw her daughter, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, and all those she considered her grandchildren and great grandchildren, through the blessings and challenges of life. Anna knew her family’s strengths and weaknesses. Anna recognized she raised women who were headstrong and wanted to control what they couldn’t, so she tirelessly prayed for them to have faith in God and accept God’s will. She knew she had loved ones who were uncertain whether they would be able to handle challenges they were (or would) face. She regularly reminded them of her love, and that with God, they could get through anything. She knew which of her loved ones tended to isolate themselves when they were struggling. She prayed for them to reach out to family for help, and always made one-on-one time for them when she knew they needed it. Anna taught loved ones that God and their faith needed to be the cornerstone of their lives, the importance of family, giving is more rewarding than receiving, there is always something for which to be thankful, anything can be achieved with hard work, and above all else, that “God will provide.” Anna was a strong believer in the power of forgiveness and readily admitted that forgiveness could be difficult, though failing to do so was poison to a person’s emotional well-being and soul. If Anna saw a need, she was quick to get involved. Anna strongly believed in the importance of giving people a second chance and knew that love and families came in many forms. She stressed the importance of acceptance and one of the activities with she was involved in retirement was ministering to the incarcerated through written correspondence and helping former inmates to reacclimate to life outside of prison. Anna’s hobbies included coaching and playing women’s softball. She fell in love with the sport when she was around five and observed her father announcing games for several years. She also loved gardening, and like her mother, had a “green thumb.” In her later years she developed a love for watching golf and learned the sport and players, recognizing the skill and strategy required. She could talk golf with the best of them. Anna was a devout Catholic. She received her sacraments at St. Henry Catholic Church, San Antonio. Anna attended mass daily at St. Leo the Great’s Catholic Church for many, many years, until she became too ill to leave her house. She was a member of the church’s funeral choir prior to the COVID Pandemic. She is survived by her daughter, Carmie Galindo and Granddaughter Amanda Galindo Frutos. Great grandchildren surviving her include Marley, Ethan, Michael, and Evangeline. She is also survived by her nieces and nephews: Rose Marie Poettgen (Paul); Joe Galindo (Michele); Gloria Ann Mytych (Roy), Mary Helen Reyna (Edward); Alex Galindo, III (Erin), and Clementine Bowers (Michael). She is survived by many, many, other loved ones. Anna was predeceased by her brother, Alex Galindo, Jr., father, Alex Galindo, Sr., mother, Ester Orosco Galindo, and niece, Carmen Galindo Menchaca. The family wishes to offer its utmost love and gratitude to Anna’s good friend of many years, Guadalupe (Lupito) De Leon, for all the kindnesses he extended and time he spent with Anna in friendship and prayer over many, many years. Similarly, many thanks are offered to the numerous friends, such as Zwinda, Estella, and Arlene, who visited her in the hospital or at home, providing sustenance for her body and soul. *If you are so inclined, in lieu of flowers, please consider a contribution in Anna’s name to: St. Leo the Great Catholic Church, 4415 S. Flores Street, San Antonio, Texas, 78214.*

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Anna Galindo

February 24, 1943 - December 24, 2022