Geraldine Pena

Born in Tucson, Arizona on April 1, 1919 to Arthur and Theresa Torres, Geraldine {Gerry} Torres Pena was labeled by her father as “the pride of the house”. She was the eldest of five children all of whom have preceded her in death. A young Gerry, upon seeing a picture of Corpus Christi, Texas, vowed to visit. She met Ralph G. Pena, Jr. in Tucson while he was stationed at Fort Huachuca. On February 15, 1945, they married and after his tour of duty, they settled in his home town of La Feria, Texas. She was able to fulfill her childhood dream of visiting Corpus Christi. Living in a small town where there was easy access to stores and schools, she walked to many of her errands. Gerry always accompanied her husband on those errands when asked “Quieres ir?” always replying “Si para donde?” while running to gather her purse and change shoes. In La Feria, she and Ralph raised their six children- five daughters and a son. Gerry ran the home, cooking and also sewing many of her daughters’ outfits including first communion, prom and wedding dresses. She attended her children’s PTA meetings and enjoyed the school band concerts as well. Her self-proclaimed badge of honor is that she is the mother of six. It was when her children were much older that she worked at La Feria Style Shop using her talent of sewing to help in alterations. Gerry was a member of Saint Francis Xavier Catholic Church in La Feria. She helped in the religious education office. She was also a member of the American Legion Auxiliary Post 409. She and Ralph attended many local and state conventions including national conventions in Houston and Hawaii. They always participated in elections by voting. She always encouraged her children to go to the public library and attend religious functions. She was recognized on her 100th birthday by the US House of Representatives. Preceding Gerry in death, is her husband Ralph, and son in laws; Gus Loya, Jr. and Juan A. Guerrero. Gerry is survived by her daughters and their husbands, Maria Theresa and Francis Kearney, Virginia Pena Guerrero, Estella Loya, Geraldine and Romel Quintanilla, Margot and Apolonio Zuniga, and her son Ralph Phillip Pena and wife Dana. Besides her children, she is Amma to thirteen grandchildren and seventeen great grandchildren. In addition, there are seven bonus grandchildren and twenty-three bonus great grandchildren. She is a Godmother in baptism to many children and witness/ sponsor to many young wedding couples. She had a special place in her heart for her Goddaughter Cynthia Cobarrubias. Visitation will be held Monday, February 20, 2023 at 4 PM and rosary will begin at 7 PM. A mass will be held on Tuesday February 21 at 2 PM at St Francis Xavier Catholic Church, 502 South Canal St in La Feria, TX followed by interment at Restlawn Memorial Cemetery, 14166 US 83 La Feria, TX. Honored to serve as pallbearers will be her grandsons Patrick and Steven Kearney, Phillip and Andre Gonzalez, Samuel Loya and Romel Quintanilla. What a wonderful life to be able hold and love several generations of your children and live in the USA!

Geraldine Pena

April 1, 1919 - February 16, 2023

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