Lillian M. Leandro

Lillian M. Leandro, 89, beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and aunt went home to be with the Lord on April 24, 2008 at Solara Rehabilitation Hospital with her family by her side.

A native and lifetime resident of Brownsville, Mrs. Leandro was the daughter of Ernest Merkling and Alice Falgout Merkling and the granddaughter of Samuel W. Brooks, pioneer and noted Brownsville architect. She was known as the successful businesswoman who owned and operated Sunset Finance Co. from the 1940s until her retirement in 1985. To many, Mrs. Leandro was known as a faithful servant of God who attended mass regularly at St. Joseph Catholic Church, where she was a parishioner for over fifty years. Her gift of sharing stories of her past was often enjoyed by her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. Among her favorite memories was her rose garden at her home in West Brownsville.

Mrs. Leandro was preceded in death by her first husband, Antonio Tijerina and her second husband, Edmundo Leandro; and her brother, Ernest Merkling.

Left behind to eternally treasure her memory are her children: Ernest Nelda Tijerina, Lucinda Lucy Tijerina Rene Torres, and Edmundo Leticia Leandro Jr.; her grandchildren: Antonio Tony Pilar Tijerina, Lisa Ann Luis Sanchez, Denise Torres T.J. Salazar, Melissa Torres-Ruiz, Edmundo Leandro III, and Nicolas Leandro; her great-grandchildren: Amber Pompa, Kimberly Tijerina, Steven Tijerina, Josh Ruiz, Natasha Sanchez, Jacob Ruiz, and Nicole Sanchez; her sister-in-law, Joan Merkling and numerous nieces and nephews.

Visitation will begin at 11:00 a.m. on Sunday, April 27, 2008 and continue through 9 p.m. with the recitation of the holy rosary at 7:30 p.m. this evening in the West Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. Visitation will resume at 10 a.m. on Monday, April 28th.

The Mass of Christian Resurrection will be at 2:00 p.m. on Monday, April 28, 2008 at St. Joseph Catholic Church, 555 W. St. Francis St. in Brownsville. Interment will follow at Buena Vista Burial Park. Edmundo Leandro III, Nicolas Leandro, Gilberto Lerma, Larry Merkling, T. J. Salazar, and Antonio Tijerina are honored to be serving as Lillians pallbearers.

Visitation

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, April 27, 2008
11 a.m. to 9 p.m.

Service

Rosary

DarlingMouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, April 27, 2008
7 p.m.

Mass

St. Joseph Catholic Church
555 W. St. Francis St.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, April 28, 2008
2:00 p.m.

Cemetery

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