Amalia Cisneros Cisneros

Amalia Cisneros Cisneros, a resident of Brownsville, died on Wednesday, March 23, 2011, at her residence in the company of her family. Amalia was born in Brownsville in 1921, to Antonio Cisneros, a noted local artist, and his wife Concepcion Villarreal Cisneros.
She was preceded in death by her parents, by a sister, Refugio Cisneros Henderson, by her brothers Juan Antonio Cisneros and Teodoro Cisneros, and by an infant child, Anita Amalia Cisneros.
She is survived by her sister, Maria Concepcion Cisneros Klahn Joe, and their children: Joe Henry Klahn, Robert Anthony Klahn Esther, James Albert Klahn Rhonda, Sarah Mae K. Bernard, Roxanna K. Gipson and by her children: Cynthia C. Hamilton Charles, Richard Antonio Cisneros Karen, Claudia C. Champion Glenn, Ruben Cisneros Anne, and Robert Cisneros Anna her grandchildren: Anthony Brooks Hamilton Beverly, Amalia H. Runnels Brent, Lisa C. Matus Sean, Lauren C. Middleton Houston, Anna Michelle Cisneros, Jessica Valerie Champion, Ciera Magee Cisneros, Anna Angelica Cisneros, and Christa Isabella Cisneros as well as greatgrandchildren, Sarah Elizabeth Matus and Lauren Michelle Matus. Beloved as her own daughter is her surviving niece Margaret H. Chan Stephen. Also, surviving her are numerous nieces and nephews.
All who knew her will remember Amalia as a lady, kind and gentle in her manner, observant but loath to voice criticism, and with her beautiful hair always in place. Amalia was raised in modest circumstances, as were most of the residents of Brownsville in that era. Blessed with a quick mind, she became a beauty operator and then opened Amalias Beauty Shop in 1945. With her sisters Cookie Refugio and Chita Concepcion they established a loyal clientele. Her days of operating her own business ended when she married a prominent local businessman, Antonio Cisneros, Jr., and began to raise their children. They built one of the first homes in the Rio Viejo neighborhood and were active in community affairs. She took an active interest when her husband established the Mr. Q Restaurant business, but her main interest was in raising their children and serving through the Mercy Hospital Ladies Auxiliary and the Brownsville Garden Club. She insisted that all of her children graduate from college, and all did.
Amalia loved playing Bunco and Mah Jong with her friends, and enjoyed dancing. In later years, she taught as a substitute teacher at Hanna High School, and took courses at Texas Southmost College. Her social life centered on her Bunco group and her friends and family. Until Alzheimers Disease robbed her of independence, she traveled extensively, including trips to China, Japan, and Europe, and she loved learning about new lands.
Throughout her life, Amalia was a devout Catholic. She loved God and lived her life as an example of gentle Christian modesty and respect. She was an active member of St. Marys Catholic Parish until her death, and was a member of the Catholic Daughters of the Americas.
The family especially wishes to extend their thanks to Amalias faithful caregiver and companion, Ebelia Centeno.
Visitation will be held from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on Friday, March 25th, followed by recitation of the holy rosary at 7:00 P.M. at DarlingMouser Funeral Home.
Catholic funeral services will be held at 1 p.m. on Saturday, March 26, 2001 at St. Marys Catholic Church. Graveside services will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. Serving as pallbearers will be Richard, Ruben and Robert Cisneros, Brooks Hamilton, Sean Matus, and Ricardo Rios.
The family requests that in lieu of flowers, donations be made to Brownsville Public Library Foundation, Inc., P. O. Box 3463, Brownsville, Texas 78523, to be used for the childrens library, or to the charity of the donors choice.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, March 25, 2011
11 a.m. to 8 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home in the East Chapel
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Friday, March 25, 2011
7 p.m.

Catholic Funeral Service

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1944 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Saturday, March 26, 2011
1 p.m.

Cemetery

Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

P.O. Box 3463
Brownsville, TX  78523