ROMANA C. VALDEZ

She was preceded in death by her husband, José Alberto Valdez Sr., her parents, Jesus Castillo and Manuela
Perez, her in-laws, Jerónimo Valdez and Basilisa Rodriguez Valdez, son-in-law Rene Martinez, Sr., and
grandchildren Joecelynn Hope Valdez and Isabela Michele Valdez.

Left to cherish her memory are her children Barbara Noemi Villanueva, José Alberto (Elizabeth) Valdez, Jr., Julissa Romana Gonzalez, and
Jerónimo Jesús (Michele) Valdez; grandchildren Bernardo Jerónimo Villanueva, Alberto Manuel
Villanueva, Jorge Gonzalez, Jr., Alyssa (Benjamin) Musil, Anastacia Nicole Gonzalez, Ariel Noemi
Villanueva, Bianca Andrea Villanueva, Chris Alberto Valdez, Rene Martinez, Jr., Mauricio Manuel
Martinez, Euna Mee Valdez, and Minhyeok Jae Valdez; and great-grandchildren Aria Camila Munoz,
Selah Vasquez, Orchidea Vasquez, Thomas Ignacio Musil, and John Pablo Musil. She is survived by her
siblings Guadalupe (Bélgica) Castillo, Jesús Castillo, Manuela (David+) Garza, Maria (José) Perales, and
María Guadalupe (José) Gonzalez; brothers-in-laws Jorge (Lucrecia) Valdez, Jesus (Nelda) Valdez, and
sister-in-law Antonieta (Esteban+) Zavala; and extended family and friends. Heartfelt thanks also goes
out to St. Jude's Hospice nurses and other healthcare professionals who assisted with her care.
Romana was born on June 18, 1944, in Laredo, Tx, second oldest of six children. She graduated from
Martin High School in 1962. Soon after graduation, she met the love of her life, José Alberto, and the
couple married on April 24, 1965. Over the next two decades, Romana raised four children and was a
devoted mother, taking the time to perform small favors for her children that made them feel special.
She was a member of her childrens' Parent Teacher Associations and the Martin High School Band
Parents Association. In her later years, she spent time helping to raise many of her grandchildren, who
considered her a second mother. She enjoyed spending time with her sisters, her friends at the Holy
Redeemer Senior Center, and her fellow parishioners at her Catholic church.
Romana also had a creative side to her. She was a skilled seamstress, sewing beautiful articles of
clothing, including her daughters' quinceañera and wedding dresses as well as Halloween costumes. She
shared her gift with members of the community, sewing special occasion dresses for others' children.
She enjoyed organizing and hosting holiday gatherings, creating floral arrangements, and providing
memorable experiences for family and friends.
Local politics was also important to Romana. She served as treasurer for José Alberto's political
campaigns. She took immense pride in her role as an election day precinct judge for her neighborhood
precinct, a role which she held for several years.
Romana was best known for her generosity and friendliness, and for putting everyone at ease with her
warm and welcoming smile. She is deeply loved and sorely missed.

Funeral services were held on Thursday, March 16, 2023 departing from the Hernandez, Lopez and Sons, Northside Chapels, 800 Boston St. on San Bernard Ave. Holy Mass was celebrated at Holy Redeemer Catholic Church. Committal services and interment followed at the Laredo City Cemetery.

PALLBEARERS WERE: Jose A. Valdez Jr., Jeronimo Valdez, Arturo Villarreal, Jorge Gonzalez, Rene Martinez, Mauricio Martinez, Carlos Castillo and Isidro Guajardo.

HONORARY PALLBEARERS: Guadalupe Castillo, Jesus Castillo Jr., David Garza+, Jose Perales, Jose Gonzalez, Bernardo J. Villanueva, Alberto M. Villanueva, Chris A. Valdez, Minhyeok Valdez and Benjamin Musil.