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Hilda Alicia Hinojosa Gorena, a devoted wife, loving mother, dedicated educator, and compassionate community servant, passed away peacefully on January 30, 2025, leaving behind a legacy of faith, service, and love. Born on March 6, 1934, in Donna, Texas, Hilda was the cherished daughter of Salvador Marcos and Marina Medina Hinojosa. Raised in a large and hard-working family with two sisters and seven brothers, she developed a deep sense of responsibility, resilience, and a caring nature. Her academic journey was marked by excellence, as she was an honors student at Edcouch-Elsa High School before graduating from Mercedes High School in 1952. Hilda’s passion for education led her to pursue higher studies, earning an Associate Arts degree from Pan American College and furthering her knowledge at the University of Mexico City. In 1955, she obtained her Bachelor of Science in Home Economics and Child Development from Texas Woman’s University, fulfilling her dream of becoming an educator and mentor. Her dedication to her profession continued as she earned a Master of Education in Special Education and Counseling from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX. Hilda’s teaching career, which began in 1955 at Mercedes Independent School District, made history as the first Mexican American to teach at the secondary level. Over the course of several decades, she had a profound impact on the lives of countless students and their families, not only in the classroom but also through her diverse roles as a social worker, counselor and advocate for dropout prevention. Her commitment extended beyond the school walls, as she provided support to indigent families, collaborated with social agencies, and conducted adult education classes in homemaking, parenting, and life skills. A pillar of her community, Hilda actively participated in various community organizations, including the MISD Special Education Board, the Mercedes Public Library Board, and the State Board of Education’s Public School Professional Advisory Committee. As a devout Catholic, she dedicated her time to training as a Lay Minister and Master Catechist, teaching CCD classes and supporting her Parish for many years. Additionally, Hilda shared her expertise in parenting skills at Mujeres Unidas shelters and organized community events such as the National Day of Prayer and the Mayor’s Prayer Breakfast. In 1994, Hilda was honored as Mercedes Woman of the Year. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Hilda found immense joy in her personal life as a wife and mother. On December 30, 1955, she married her soulmate, Jose Oscar Gorena, in Mercedes, Texas where they made their home and raised their five children. “Mama”, as she was affectionately known, was the textbook definition of grace, elegance and hospitality. She created the most beautiful spaces and was a master of homemaking skills that she lovingly passed on to her students and family. She found joy in life’s simplest pleasures-a yellow rose, a homemade meal, singing along to mariachi music, or in the heartfelt letters and drawings of her children and grandchildren. She taught her family to cherish these small but profound moments, instilling in them a deep appreciation and gratitude for the beauty of everyday life. A deeply spiritual woman, Hilda offered comfort and wisdom in challenging times, often reminding us that “Everything was in Divine Order.” Her blessings, given with closed eyes and raised hands, were a source of strength and guidance. These words and her prayers have carried the family through countless challenges and her spiritual presence continues to inspire us in our daily lives. Her greatest legacy is the loving family she built and nurtured over decades. Being part of this family, which she so lovingly cultivated, is foundational to who we are. Mama was unconditional love personified, and her light will forever guide us. Hilda was preceded in death by her husband of 50 years Jose Oscar Gorena, both her parents, Salvador and Marina Hinojosa and Alonzo and Rosa Gorena, her brothers, Salvador Hector (Alicia), Oscar, Liborio (Josefa), Jaime, Carlos, and her sisters, Hilda “Hildita,” Gloria (Jose) Hinojosa Ochoa, and Blanca Hinojosa Jones. Hilda is survived by two brothers, the Honorable Ruben (Marty) Hinojosa, Rene (Deanna), her sister-in-law Emma Hinojosa, brother-in-law Dr. Ed Jones, five children: Elizabeth Montgomery, Judi (Jorge) Jaime, Oscar(Monica), Rick(Sheila), George(Norma), 15 grandchildren and 11 great-grandchildren. A Celebration of Life Service will be held on Friday, February 14, 2025 at Mission Park Funeral Home located at 3401 Cherry Ridge Dr., in San Antonio. The family will be available at 5:00 PM with the service scheduled from 6:00 to 7:30 PM. A funeral mass will be held on Saturday, February 15th, at 10:00 AM at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church, located at 4201 De Zavala Rd., in San Antonio. A reception will follow immediately after the service at Henke Parish Hall. In lieu of flowers, the family kindly requests that donations be made in Hilda’s memory to Catholic Charities–Guadalupe Home www.ccaosa.org/guadalupe-home/ or Hope for the Future hopeforfuture@archsa.org or call (210) 734-1680. Hilda Alicia Hinojosa Gorena was a gift to our lives and her absence leaves a deep void that can’t be filled. We will miss her dearly, but we carry her love, wisdom, and blessings in our hearts always. Rest in peace, Mama. Your legacy of love and grace will live on in all of us.

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Hilda Gorena

March 6, 1934 - January 30, 2025