Magdalena “Nena” Alcalá

BROWNSVILLE, TX. - Magdalena "Nena" Alcalá passed into eternal rest on Tuesday, August 24, 2021. Nena was born on November 29, 1941 in Brownsville, Texas, being the second of five daughters born to Mauro Alcalá and Maria Lydia Garza Alcalá. A lifelong resident of Brownsville, she was a devoted daughter, sister and aunt and relished those roles throughout her life.

Blessed with great beauty, charm and outgoing personality, she was elected Homecoming Queen during her senior year at Brownsville High School. Upon graduation, she traveled her own chosen path in life, choosing not to follow the path her four sisters took to become schoolteachers. She entered the job market right away and went to work for the founder of Charro Days, Kenneth Faxon, at his title and real estate company. Thus began her long career in the title and real estate business. After Mr. Faxon's death, she worked for Cameron County Title and Abstract and Rio Grande Valley Title Company until her retirement. Throughout her life, she lived with and helped take care of her parents.

Nena loved her Catholic faith and was very devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church where she was a life-long member and was very active in its ministries and celebrations. She was especially devoted to Our Lady of Guadalupe and would purchase all of the roses to decorate the altar every year on her Feast Day. She also loved everything about Brownsville, especially the annual Charro Days celebration. She participated in and supported many of the Charro Days activities and it became a tradition for her to prepare a meal for family and friends after the parade on Saturdays. Her skills as a chef and hostess were well known to all her family and to her many friends. She loved to cook and frequently prepared feasts for family and friends on weekends, on holidays, and on celebrations.

Nena was loved by all who knew her and she will be missed by everyone. Her humor, her many entertaining "chistes" and memorable"dichos", her charity, and her love of life have left countless memories that will sustain us and live in our hearts forever.

Nena was preceded in death by her parents, Mauro Alcalá and Maria Lydia Garza; by brothers Agustin "Tino" Alcalá and Guadalupe "Lupito" Quintana who were raised by her parents after they were orphaned; and by a brother-in-law, Lionel Garza. She is survived by her sisters Donaciana Alcalá of Brownsville, Minerva (Raul) Longoria of Bartlett, Tennessee, Delia Garza of San Antonio, and Olga (Jose Elias) Martinez of McAllen. She is also survived by two nephews, four nieces, five grandnephews, seven grandnieces, and two great-grandnephews.

The family will gather for a private Mass of Christian Burial at Our Lady of Guadalupe Catholic Church. Nena will then be laid to rest at Buena Vista Burial Park in a private committal service.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers are Joe Martinez, Elias Martinez, Omar Tamez, Raul Garza, Mario Vargas, and Teclo Cortez.

Memories of Nena may be shared at www.darlingmouser.com.

Personalized funeral arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.