Maria Delfina Medina

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Maria Delfina Medina entered into eternal rest on Thursday, the 21st of September 2023, at Valley Baptist Medical Center in Brownsville surrounded by her loving children. She was ninety-eight years of age.

Born in San Antonio, Texas on April 7, 1925, to Mariano and Rebecca Garcia, Delfina was the eldest daughter of six children. She grew up caring for her younger siblings and bonding closely with her older brother. She loved playing softball and tennis during her childhood and had a love for all things history and math.

Delfina married Eliecer Medina, Jr. in McAllen, Texas in December 1946. Together they had four children, Rene, Dora, Patricia, and Susan. Her career began as a bookkeeper for Edelstein’s Furniture in McAllen, then RB Suttle Construction until she moved into the uniform business. In 1968 she moved to Brownsville where she opened a uniform shop in the downtown district to serve the nursing and medical professional community. In 1984, she took on the prestigious position of Office Manager for the Rio Grande Valley District Office for U.S. Senator Phil Gramm. This was a role that she took immense pride in. During her professional years, she was a member of Zonta Club and other various community organizations. After her retirement in 1999, she enjoyed her golden years keeping up with current events, reading, and learning modern technology. Some in her ever-growing family lovingly called her “The General.” She traveled, grew her faith in Christ, and enjoyed checking items off her bucket list.

Delfina has been a member of the First Church of Christ Scientist in both McAllen and Brownsville since 1954. She served many roles in the Church including pianist, organist, soloist, reader, and Board Member. Only recently, when the Church doors closed in 2022, she relinquished her fifty-year title as Treasurer.

Over her ninety-eight beautiful years on Earth, Delfina epitomized the meaning of faithful servant, matriarch, mother, and friend. She was a music aficionado and lover of pearls, flowers, and politics. It is no wonder that she not only loved elephants but had the wisdom and memory of one as well. She was quick-witted and had a broad vocabulary that few could challenge. Along with faithfully devoting herself to Christ, she was also committed to her daily crossword puzzles (the hard ones!) while sipping her coffee and enjoying some pan dulce. She leaves a legacy of strength, perseverance, and love. All of her family and many friends will deeply miss her, but she will live on forever in their hearts. “Grandma Fina, go with God and rest in peace. Nobody is more deserving of Heaven.”

Preceding Delfina in death were her parents, Mariano and Rebecca Garcia; her siblings Genaro Garcia (Joanie +), Mariano “Chacho” Garcia (Margie +), Raul Garcia, Rebecca Meyer (Bill +), and Rosaura Garcia; her daughter, Dora Martinez; her granddaughter, Rebecca Martinez; and her great-grandsons, Mason Wilson and Miles Wilson.

Survivors include her children Rene Medina (Celia Cantu), Patricia Ayala (Mariano “Bean”), Susan Walker (Robert); her son-in-law, Rudy Martinez; her twelve grandchildren, eighteen great-grandchildren, four great-great-grandchildren; her sister-in-law, Mercedes “Meche” Garcia; in addition to many nieces and nephews.

Visiting hours will be held on Friday, the 29th of September 2023 between the hours of ten o'clock in the morning and twelve noon, with a Chapel Service to begin at twelve noon within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home. Interment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at Buena Vista Burial Park, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers will be Jay, Brian, Jody, and Randy Medina; Michael and Patrick Ayala; Matthew, Shane, and Logan Walker; Christopher Wilson; and Jonah and Jack Pompa.

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

Personalized funeral arrangements directed by Steven R. Hieu Bailey and Staff have been entrusted to the care of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home at 945 Palm Boulevard in Brownsville, Texas 78520, (956) 546-7111.