Bertha A. Garza

Bertha A. Garza peacefully left this Earth to be with her Lord on Sunday, Aug. 2, 2009, after a courageous year-long battle with cancer. At the moment of her passing, she was surrounded by her loving family at Southwest Methodist Hospital in San Antonio.

A Brownsville native, Bertha was born on November 1, 1943, to a pioneer South Texas family. Her father was Francisco Paco Mayorga deceased and mother Anita del Cueto Mayorga.

Bertha was the loving wife of Raul I. Garza for the past 40 years. The couple had two daughters, Cynthia Garza-Galvan of Brownsville and Erica Garza of San Antonio, all of whom survive her.

Bertha was well-known and respected throughout the Lower Rio Grande Valley, the state of Texas and beyond for her innovative and tireless efforts on behalf of the poor and disadvantaged.

Before retiring in 2006, Bertha had worked for 36 years with the Texas AgriLife Extension Service, the last 21 years as a district administrator of District 12, comprised of 20 South Texas counties.

Her formal education culminated with a Masters degree in Administration which she earned from UT-Pan American in Edinburg in 1982. Throughout her life, Bertha encouraged and helped countless others earn their college degrees.

Bertha began her professional career in 1969, becoming one of the first Hispanic employees of states Extension service. She left her distinguished mark as a fearless, diligent and successful advocate for her co-workers and those citizens of Texas less fortunate than herself.

At her retirement she was praised by many, including state and federal elected officials, for her many accomplishments, including the creation of public outreach programs that are now routinely used by Texas and many other states in the country that serve Hispanic clientele.

Her programs have educated, and will continue to educate, thousands of low-income citizens and others invaluable lessons in parenting, nutrition, education, health, personal finance, entrepreneurship and other life skills.

Proclamations honoring her accomplishments were passed in both chambers of the Texas Legislature and presented to her at the time of her retirement.

In addition to her father, preceding her in death were her aunt, Gloria Mayorga, and her uncle, Gilberto Mayorga.

Among the legion of grieving loved ones left behind are Berthas three brothers: Francisco, Jr., Pedro and David Mayorga and their wives. Also, her son-in-law Santana Galvan, Jr., her sister-in-law, Rachel Torres, and her brother-in-law, Bob Torres, as well as aunts and uncles Beatrice, Isabel, Angelina, Maximo, Jr., Miguel and Armando Mayorga, and numerous nieces, nephews and grand-nephews.

At the time of her death, Bertha was associated with several civic, philanthropic and political organizations including the Mr. Amigo Association a member since 1972 and was first lady in 1986-87 when Raul served as president, the Sembradores Unidos and the Palm Society of South Texas.

She was also involved with the Master Gardener program, the Texas Legislative Circle and was a Texas delegate to the Hillary Clinton presidential campaign.

Visitation will begin at 12 Noon and continue through 9 p.m. with a rosary to be held at 7 p.m., Wednesday, Aug. 5 at Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. A Mass of Resurrection will be celebrated at 10 a.m., Thursday, Aug. 6, at Sacred Heart Church, 602 E. Elizabeth St., Brownsville. Interment will follow at Buena Vista Cemetery.
PPallbearers will be Frank and Pete Mayorga, Bobby Torres, Jr., David Rodriguez, Rene Flores and Dr. Enrique Perez. Honorary pallbearers will be former U.S. Congressman Eligio Kika de la Garza, Texas S

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
12 Noon to 9 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Wednesday, August 5, 2009
7 p.m.

Mass

Sacred Heart Catholic Church
602 E. Elizabeth
Brownsville, TX  78520
Thursday, August 6, 2009
10 a.m.

Cemetery

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

Memorial Contributions

c/o Texas AgriLife Extension Service District 12
Weslaco, TX  78596