Tributes

Josefina Chapa Cruz went to Our Lord on April 19, 2025, in San Antonio, Texas. Her family was at her bedside as they offered prayers for her. She is preceded by her parents, Abraham and Nicolasa Chapa. Her brothers and sisters, too, preceded her own passing: Gloria Gutierrez, Hector Chapa, Maria Louisa (Wicha) Camero, Roberto Chapa, Alfredo Chapa. Together they formed a close-knit, happy family in Laredo, Texas. Josefina graduated from Martin High School where she aspired to be a journalist. She earned outstanding grades in all subjects, but her favorite was the study of Literature and Writing. She excelled in all her English classes and had hopes to continue her education. Family obligations and the start of America’s involvement in World War II caused her to defer that dream. Nevertheless, she maintained a life-long interest in reading and often liked to share her thoughts on the many books her two older daughters, Sylvia and Norma, brought for her to extend her knowledge and love of mysteries, romances, current and cultural events as well as films ranging from 1940s-1950s noir movies to modern action dramas and romantic entanglements. She became a fan of watching such movies after her youngest daughter, Hilda, helped install digital visual technology onto her televisions. This change brought her much enjoyment and helped her to also stay in touch with national, state, and current events. As a young woman, Josefina worked for what came to be known as the Southwestern Bell Telephone Company in Laredo. Coincidentally, it was during this phase of her work life that Josefina became acquainted with technical complexity. She often talked of her experiences working on the old-fashioned phone boards of the 1940s. She described them as being large, covered with wires and cables which the operators referred to as “spaghetti boards”. Josefina soon learned the intricate process of connecting the caller to the desired destination. Josefina also shared that she was proud to provide her parents with their first home telephone and to pay the bills for its installation and use. Her new-found work exposure led her to begin an independent life as a young adult. Her favorite activity was to accompany friends on excursions to local events. In February of 1946, she went to join in the annual George Washington local festivities at the downtown St. Augustine Plaza surrounding the historical St. Augustine Cathedral, founded in 1565—the home of the oldest Christian congregation in the United States. Josefina liked to tell the story of that February event. She recalled standing with her friends and the various other ladies who lined up to the right side of the plaza and glancing flirtishly at the young men lined up to the left. Josefina smiled at the memory of hearing at first a low whistle as she and her friends paraded up and down. Later, they stopped to listen to the music; one of her friends nudged her, leaned in, and whispered that a certain young man was looking intently at her. Josefina said she heard the whistle again and ignored it, but the whistler was suddenly standing in front of her. He asked, “Do you want to dance?” Well, as we know, the rest is history. On November 30, 1947, Angel married Josefina Chapa at St. Augustine Cathedral, which by then had a wondrous pipe organ brought in 1942 by the pastor of a bombed church in Manila. Josefina described her wedding at the beautifully restored 1872 cathedral as one of the high points of her life. She remembers almost floating out, anchored by Angel’s arm, to the applause of family and friends with the organ still piping its angelic notes. They went on into a loving future with their four children: Sylvia, Norma, Angel and Hilda. They settled in 1959 in the Palm Heights neighborhood in San Antonio. Josefina said when Angel took her to view the house he had found in this area, she said she instantly knew she was looking at her forever home. She recalled its picture-perfect image with the long-graveled drive running alongside the white, cottage-style house and its baby blue shutters on either side of the windows. The back yard was a lush green with a large shady pecan tree at its center, and along the white painted garage a charming climbing roses shrub was already in full bloom beauty. Josefina remarked she instantly liked the paved sidewalks leading up to the front yard porch flanked by two tall iron rails decorated with fleur de-lisgrape flower vines painted baby blue. These rails seemed to be ordained for Josefina’s life as a beloved wife and mother. She later commented the house would absolutely be her home upon seeing the rails’ decorative flower design (associated with the Catholic symbolism of commitment to motherhood in the figure of the Virgin Mary, Mother of Christ). Josefina went on to solidify this family commitment that spanned 65years at the family’s home from 1959 to 2025 and a 73-year marriage commitment to her husband Angel from 1947 through 2025. Over the years, Josefina and Angel built long-lasting family memories. Angel liked to putter in the yard and work on his vehicles while Josefina developed skills she put to beneficial use in her home. She started sewing and became creative at fashioning new outfits for her children such as school clothes and prom dresses for all three of her daughters. She did intricate work on her daughters’ wedding gowns such as adding beaded trimming along the hem and train of the gowns and going a step further, sewing Hilda’s wedding dress entirely by hand. Josefina’s sewing expertise also extended to creating pretty curtains which graced every window in her house, and one Halloween she even sewed a cute costume for her son Angel. She learned about quilting and bought quilted pieces, stitching the borders, forming baby and twin bed-sized covers for her grandchildren. Eventually, Josefina went on to acquire interests that expanded to embroidering Christmas-themed decorations and showing her artistic flair making and painting ceramic accents to hang on walls or cleverly placed on shelves. Josefina was well known in her community and as a member of St. James the Apostle Catholic Church. Later, she served as a Girl Scout / Brownie leader for her younger daughter Hilda’s troop and participated in her children’s school Parent-Teacher Association (PTA). Additionally, the family hosted many get-togethers with various uncles, aunts and cousins bringing potluck dishes to add to Josefina’s delicious meals and tasty bar-b-queued meats Angel liked to cook. Many a holiday was enjoyed at their home, each one forming a new chapter in their family-centered life. Josefina and Angel were so proud they could provide a “dream home” to their children. They went on to construct, during their lifetime, a family foundation of love in fair and stormy weather. Like a well planted tree, it sustained life’s many changes. Still the family was blessed to grow branches that blossomed: Sylvia Cruz (Sylvia’s beloved Jerry Glenn Shaw {deceased}; Son: Aaron Viagran {deceased} (Carol Viagran—Sophia, Gabriella, Isabella); Daughter: Crystal Viagran (Willie F. Pancho Walker), Norma Gonzales (Joseph Gonzales) Son: Tyler (Tatiana Martinez de Escobar--Davina, Draevyn) Angel Cruz {deceased} Daughter: Leah Cruz Greentree (James Greentree—Daughter: Sierra; Sons Chevy Boren {Brenleigh, Cara, Hazel, Tessa}, Cody Boren{Scarlett}) Hilda Ramirez (Andrew Ramirez) Daughters: Marissa Fernandez (Zack Fernandez—Zaiden, Ethan) Veronica Ramirez (Paul Perez—Aysia Segura {Gavin South}, Marcelo Salas), Son Andrew Ramirez (Nicole—Andrew Emanuel). Josefina will be missed greatly by her nieces and nephews as well as her neighbors who have expressed to her daughters their great regard and respect for the numerous acts of kindness she shared with them over the years. The family wishes to express thanks to all the other family members and friends who visited Josefinato provide support and love during her final days. These visits were appreciated and served as a fitting salutation for Josefina. It was only fitting that as Josefina passed on to a heavenly dimension, the bells of her church—St. James—could be heard ringing through her home’s opened front door as she waved good-bye to her family. During the service, the family invites you all to share memories of Josefina at the chapel. Family and friends are encouraged to wear their favorite happy color or shade of pink to celebrate the joy of our Mother’s life. Thank you!

Tributes

Josefina Chapa Cruz

June 19, 1927 - April 19, 2025