Tributes

God loaned us a treasure in Patricia “Patty” Longoria. She was a wonderful granddaughter, daughter, sister, niece, cousin, aunt, wife, mother, grandmother and friend. Patty was a servant of Our Lord, her family and the community. She was one of those rare persons who was totally loving, selfless and dedicated to God and family. She was also blessed with a bright mind, determination and great planning skills. Once she embarked on a project, nothing could stop her. Patty was raised by her grandparents, James and Juanita Fernandez. Their tiny, south side home was filled with many souls and even more love, warmth, and joy. When Patty was 12 years old she met a boy named John. At 20, she married him. Together, over the course of the next 56 years, she and John raised a family of five children: John, Jr. (†), George E., James A., twins: Lisa Longoria Gonzales (Seth) and Lydia Longoria Carrion (Benedicto) and two grandchildren, Gabriel Thomas Gonzales and Gianna Sofia Gonzales. Patty excelled in her calling as a wife, mother and grandmother so much that it made everyone in her family feel especially cared for. Her children always had a costume for a school play, a homemade birthday cake, and an Easter basket that would satisfy their hearts as much as their sweet tooth. She was a mother totally committed to their lives and, indeed, to the many neighborhood children in need of an additional parental figure. She gave unconditional love and lavished it on them all. Her beauty was total- body, heart, mind and soul. Patty was the foundation of her home, guiding her children in their faith, their schooling, and every-day moments in life. A patient listener, she was a calm and steady guide in times of crisis and a loving counselor who shared life’s joys. She was the school room mother who made sure the classroom was fully stocked, a Boy and Girl Scout leader who took her children on camping trips and the home nurse who consoled you when hurt. During her husband’s political career, Patty was the “secret weapon” who gave sound opinion and advice on any issue of the day. She also used those skills in service to the community she loved, whether on the Alamo Area Board of Girl Scouts, or her many public and Church interests. She had great dedication to her parish, St. Leonard Catholic Church. Her greatest commitment was to the pro-life movement. She did more than talk about the issues, she took action. She dedicated many years to the Gabriel Project, an organization that assists mothers in need. She would organize diaper drives and other activities that helped many young mothers care for their children. She frequently sacrificed her own resources to help those around her. Patty took great pride and pleasure in decorating her home for every occasion. No matter what the celebration, she had bins of materials for all of them. In addition to the usual events like Easter, Fiesta, and Halloween, every year she assembled an “El dia de los muertos” altar that occupied the entire kitchen island. Indeed, overflowing bins of decor were kept full and ready. Even Independence Day got the full treatment. And then there was Christmas, always a spectacular event in her home, adorned with Nativity scenes she loved to collect. Patty became an avid Ancestry dot Com “expert.” She would spend hundreds of hours, determined to find records and details of her own family lineage. She succeeded in creating extensive family trees with many significant records and historical facts. Once she “got on the trail”, she would spend all night chasing clues until she found the detail she was looking for. Patty was predeceased by her son, John, Jr., her grandparents, her mother (Aurora Fernandez Walden) Fernandez uncles Alfred (Maria Louisa) , Arthur, James, Jr. (Barbara), Murl “Bob” Spears, Aunt Velia Fernandez Buchwald and nephew Christopher Walden. Patty is also survived by her brother Lenny Walden (Angie), Aunts Mary Fernandez Spears, Elva Soliz Fernandez, and Elva Fernandez Barrientos (Gilbert), numerous cousins and dozens of her children’s friends who all thought of her as their bonus mom. The family recognizes and gives thanks to George Hernandez, CEO and President of University Health Systems, Dr. Christopher Lam and the team of doctors, nurses and staff of University Hospital and Dr. Abe Rodriguez. In lieu of flowers Patty asked that donations be made to the Gabriel Project, the Allied Women’s Center or to a charity of your choice. Services will be at St. Leonard Catholic Church 8510 S. Zarzamora, San Antonio, TX 78224: Tuesday 12/26: Viewing (Urn) begins at 5pm with Rosary at 7pm. Wednesday 12/27: Funeral Mass at 11am; Interment at San Fernando Cemetery #2, 746 Castroville Rd, San Antonio, TX 78237.

Tributes

Patricia "Patty" Longoria

February 7, 1947 - December 7, 2023