Louisa Saldaña passed away Saturday, December 24, 2005 at her home in Beaumont. She was 92 years of age. Louisa was born August 29, 1913 and was a lifetime resident of Beaumont, Texas.
Louisa was a housewife and also worked for Shepherd’s Laundry for twenty plus years. She was an active member in the PTA at St. Anthony Catholic Schools during the years her children attended theses schools. She was also a member of the Ladies LULAC Organization. Her close friends and many others referred to her affectionately as, Doŕia Louisa. Louisa had a passion for food preparation and leaves this legacy to her daughters. Her “platillos” of Mexican and TexMex foods were known to many who had the good fortune of having had a meal at her home, at festive occasions or at the local Fiestas celebrations. She had and has no equal when it came to preparing these dishes. She took great pride in her food preparations. Her generosity in helping others had no limit and she was always ready to help others. Her love for the children and grandchildren was without ending.
Louisa was preceded in death by her late husband, Antonio “Tony” Saldaña; and a daughter, Maria Elisa Saldaña.
Survivors include her daughters, Antonia Costilla of Beaumont, Ruby and her husband Louis Gonzales of Houston, Elena and her husband Antonio “Tony” Guerrero of Bevil Oaks, Josephine “JoJo” Saldaña Blake of Beaumont, and Ana and her husband Frank Capello of Beaumont; her four sons, Louis and his wife Juanita Saldaña of Nederland, John Anthony and his wife Juanita Saldaña of San Antonio, Albert Elias and his wife Anna Saldaña of Lumberton, and Richard James and his wife Maria “Tina” Saldaña of Beaumont; her brother-in-law, Gilbert and his wife Lupe Saldaña of Beaumont; adopted daughter, Marie “ReRe” Johnson of Beaumont; two self adopted sons, Mike Ayala, Jr. and Johnny Garcia. Louisa has thirty-seven surviving grandchildren, forty-five great grandchildren; six great great grandchildren; seven step grandchildren; and six step great grandchildren.
The family wishes to recognize and give special thanks to Texas Home Health Services, Odyssey Hospice Services, The Wound Care Center Personnel of Beaumont and Dr. Bodo Brauer, for their compassionate care and kindness towards our mother in her most pressing time of need.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated 2:00 P.M. Wednesday, December 28, 2005 at St. Anthony Cathedral with Reverend Stephen McCrate, celebrant and con-celebrated by Reverend T. R. Blanco. Burial to follow at Magnolia Cemetery under the directions of Broussard’s, 2000 McFaddn, Beaumont. A gathering of family and friends will begin at 5:00 P.M. with a Rosary to be recited at 7:00 P.M. Tuesday, December 27, 2005 at the Church.
Memorial contributions may be made to St. Anthony Cathedral, P.O. Box 3309, Beaumont Texas 77704.