Teresa Mendoza Vargas

Teresa Mendoza Vargas, age 89, passed away on March 4th in Galveston, TX, surrounded by her loving family. Teresa was born in Galveston, Texas on September 16, 1934 to Felipe and Soledad Mendoza. 

She attended St. Peter’s School, Ursuline Academy and graduated from Ball High School in 1952. As a teenager she loved playing softball first in city leagues and in later years for the Galveston Islandettes which she considers a great experience giving her the opportunity to travel throughout the state in tournaments. She played her last game in the Mexican/American League at the age of 49 years and was voted MVP. She lost her big trophy and many others with her house during IKE. After graduating from high school, she went to work in the Department of Radiology at UTMB in a typing pool. She worked her way up quickly grasping a better position as it became available. She retired as Administrative Assistant to the Chairman of the Department of Radiology in 1983. Teresa was parish secretary at Our Lady of Guadalupe Church from 1987 to 1992 when the parish merged with St. Patrick’s Church (now Holy Family Parish). She continued as parish secretary at Holy Family Parish until 2010. She was a devoted Catholic and a Eucharistic Minister and bilingual lector for many years, both at OLG and Holy Family Parish. She was a member of the Damas of Our Lady of Guadalupe where she served as secretary and treasurer in past years. 

Teresa will be remembered as a loving mother, sister, aunt, grandmother, and friend. She was known for her kindness, compassion, selflessness, and generosity. She was an avid sports fan and enjoyed cheering for the Astros, Dallas Cowboys and the Texans. 

Teresa is preceded in death by her parents and her husband J.A. Vargas, Sr. of 45 years; sisters, Tanna Rodriguez & Connie Garza; brothers, Dr. Samuel Mendoza, Jake Mendoza, Alfonso Mendoza, and Dr. Roger Mendoza. 

She is survived by her two sons, J. A. Vargas, Jr. and Francisco Vargas and wife Donna, sister-in-law Ellen Mendoza, and numerous grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews, and nieces including Lisa Trevino who she thought of as a daughter. 

Visitation will be held at St. Patrick Catholic Church on Tuesday, March 12, 2024 from 9:30 A.M. to 10:30 A.M., with a Rosary to begin at 10:30 A.M. A Mass of Christian Burial will follow at 11:00 A.M. Interment will follow at Calvary Catholic Cemetery. 

Pallbearers will be Rene Garza, Bobby Garza, Manuel Trevino, Steven Trevino, David Trevino and David Copado. Honorary pallbearer will be Clifford Harris. 

The family would like to extend a special thanks to Hospice Care Team and to her caregivers: Jennifer Moran, Maria Elena Fuentes, Amparo Martinez, Maria Castillo, Leslie Castillo, Lorraine Zermeno, Kathy Garza, Tea Sosa, Jennifer Harris, Lisa Trevino and Donna Vargas.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Holy Family Parish, 1010 35th Street, Galveston, Texas 77550 or the charity of one’s choice.

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