Olivia Maria Gomez

Olivia went home with the Lord on Sunday, May 31, 2020 succumbing to the ravages of Alzheimer's Disease. She was 87 years old. Born in Poteet, Texas on December 2, 1932, to parents Teodora V and Miguel Angel Gomez. She was preceded in death by her parents. Brothers: Robert Gomez, Raymundo Gomez, Guadalupe Gomez, Miguel Gomez, and Nephew: Miguel Alejandro Gomez. She is survived by daughter Selina Larson and husband Tarald James. Granddaughters: Anastasia Majesky and husband Brett, Angela Hicks and husband Brandon, Desiree Larson and Great granddaughter: Calista Camille Majesky. Siblings: Rosa Cantu and husband Joe M Cantu, Oralia (Nena) V. Gomez, Ramiro V. Gomez and 13 nieces and nephews and countless great nieces and nephews whom she loved as her own. Olivia had an inner drive to strive to be the very best that she could be in every endeavor she ever took. As a young teenager, she worked at the theaters in Mercedes earning money to contribute towards the support of my grandmother and the family. All her siblings worked from a very young age to help support the family and my grandmother took in ironing as a means to support the family as well. The thus the strong work ethic was imbedded in the family. From very humble beginnings, Olivia moved on to work at North Elementary School in 1960, followed by taking a secretarial position at the Mercedes Jr. High in 1963. With the help of her mother, Teodora Gomez and her sister , Oralia ( Nena) Gomez in caring for her daughter Selina, Olivia was able to work full time during the day and take night classes through Pan American University to work on her teaching degree. Thus, began her teaching career in 1967 at Travis Elementary School, moving to West Elementary School in 1973. In t978 she began to work as a Visiting Teacher at Mercedes Jr. High school. She then continued her lifelong passion for learning, education, knowledge, and wisdom but most important fulfilling her need to impart this knowledge to her students and all that knew her. She continued working full time and enrolled in classes at Texas A & M in Kingsville, earning her Master's Degree and taking on an administrative position as one of only a hand full of female school principals( at that time) in the Mercedes ISD, Olivia held the principal position at West Elementary from 1980 thru 1990. She then retired after 30 years of working for the Mercedes ISD. Olivia was an exceptionally talented and introspective person. Thirst for knowledge was unquenched. She was a voracious reader: interested in all subjects from religion, to poetry, literature, astrology, astronomy, geography , world civilizations etc. she had a passion for gardening, arts and crafts, but most of all LOVED helping plan class reunions and family reunions. She loved to share her tropical yard of exotic plants with everyone she knew and often the reunion members were able to walk through her garden and spend time admiring and "Learning “about all her plants. For such a petite little lady, Olivia was a little dynamite. Accomplished enormous feats with the help and love from her exceptionally large number of family members and very good and close friends. She fought Alzheimer's Disease for 8 years, even attending yearly fund-raising events and dancing with all the young people there to raise money for the fight of this horrific disease. Her very petite, little body could no longer go on. Much appreciation and love to the staff at Southern Oaks Nursing and Rehab for the care and love given to my mom over the last 5 years and to Life Path Hospice, all staff that cared for my mom. Special Thanks to Nurse Anne Dickey and Pastor Lonnie Moore and to Father Fidel Mondragon from Christ the King Catholic Church in Bossier City, LA. In Lieu of Flowers the family suggests donations be made to the Alzheimer's Association. Visitation will be held on thurday, June 4,2020 from 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. with a rosary fron 4:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.. In respect to Mrs. Gomez's wishes this concludes all funeral services. Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rudy Garza Funeral Home of Mercedes Texas.

Olivia Maria Gomez

December 2, 1932 - May 31, 2020

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