Elena Esther Solis "Mitzi" Cestero

Elena Esther Solis Cestero, better known as Mitzi, passed away on July 11, 2024, in her home, surrounded by her children. She was born on February 18, 1936 in Donna, Texas to Leopoldo Solis Sr. and Manuela Mercado Solis. She was preceded in death by both her parents, an infant daughter, Julienna Esther Cestero, sisters; Argentina Solis, Catalina Solis, Alicia S. Diaz, and her brothers Noel H. Solis and Leopoldo Solis Jr. Surviving are her children, Debbie Cestero D’Souza (Dinesh) and A.J. Cestero (Mari), grandchildren Justin and Julienna Fancher, Danielle D’Souza Gill (Brandon), great granddaughter Marigold Gill, brothers; Carlos Solis (Bea), David Solis (Mary Helen) and sister Karen S. Martinez, and numerous nieces, nephews, grand nieces, and grand nephews. She attended and was the pianist at the church her mother helped found, El Buen Samaritano Methodist Church. Mitzi was a retired teacher, having first taught at Zavala Elementary School in Harlingen, Texas. She then made a decision to go to Venezuela and teach at the Standard Oil Company school in Lagunillas, Zulia Venezuela and also Park Academy in Caracas, Venezuela. She married and had her children there and made Venezuela her home for thirteen years, before coming back to Harlingen, Texas where she would live the majority of her life. She then taught at Crocket Elementary in Harlingen, and the last 25 years of her career she taught First Grade at her beloved Bowie Elementary in Harlingen, Texas. She retired in the year 2000 and went to live with her daughter Debbie and family in Sugar Land, Texas, but always came home to Harlingen to spend time with her son A.J. and daughter-in-law Mari, and finally settled back in Harlingen in 2015. Besides being the pianist at her church, she was active in The Lions Club of Harlingen , The Red Hat Society, and a member of the United Methodist Women’s Organization-Rio Grande Conference serving in various leadership positions at local, district and national levels. Her departure is sadly felt by her beloved family and countless friends. We would like to thank JoAnn Folsom for the wonderful caregivers she provided; Ida Vento, Abigail Gonzalez, Julia Sobol, Ofelia Jackson, and Mindy Love. Also caring for her were Lupita Gascon and Sara Rendon. Also, Dr. Donald Roa who took great care of mom, social worker Debi Ruelas, and Dr. Grayson and Cindy Sellers, Dr. James Castillo, Alisha Lopez and the rest of the DHR Health Hospice team. Visitation will be held Friday, July 26th from 12:00 PM to 9:00 PM and a prayer service will begin at 7:00 PM at Rudy Garza Funeral Home located at 1702 E. Harrison Ave, Harlingen Texas 78550. Funeral services will be held Saturday, July 27th departing the Rudy Garza Funeral Home at 8:30 AM for a 9:00 AM church service at El Buen Samaritano Methodist Church, located at 806 W. Grant Ave, Harlingen Tx 78550. Burial will follow at Restlawn Memorial Park in La Feria, Texas. She cherished all who loved her and would be truly honored to have you attend her services. Honored to serve as pallbearers for Mitzi will be Justin Fancher, Ian Martinez, Brandon Gill, Daniel Martinez, David Solis, and Chuck Solis. Honorary pallbearers; Lee Solis III, Robert Diaz Jr., Rudy Diaz, Ron Diaz, Noel Solis Jr., Harvey Martinez, David Phillip Solis, Dinesh D’Souza and Alex Salazar.

Elena Esther Solis "Mitzi" Cestero

February 18, 1936 - July 11, 2024

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