Josefa Liendo Lucio

Josefa Liendo Lucio, Matriarch of a well-known and prominent Brownsville family, peacefully, passed away at the age of 92 and entered into the glory of her eternal life on Thursday, August 24, 2017. She was married for 65 years to +Eduardo Andres Lucio, Sr. who passed away in 2006. Together, they had 10 children who became leaders in different professions throughout the state of Texas and in the state of Minnesota.

Mrs. Lucio's ancestry is rich in culture and heritage and is well documented in historical archives. Both, her paternal and maternal ancestors, came to Texas in the late 1700's and early 1800's. One of her forefathers, Miguel Liendo, was a soldier at La Bahia Garrison in San Antonio in the early 1800's. The Liendo pioneer family moved from San Antonio to the lower Rio Grande Valley where descendants have resided ever since. Twenty six of Mrs. Lucio's forefathers acquired Spanish Land Grants in south Texas from the King of Spain or Mexican Land Grants from the Mexican Government. One of these grants became part of the King Ranch. She was, also, directly related to Miguel Salinas, one of the owners of the original Fort Brown Grant which covered many acres, including where Texas Southmost College and the Immaculate Conception Catholic Cathedral now stand. In addition, on her mother's side, Mrs. Lucio had an ancestral line that goes back 18 generations to the Court of King Ferdinand II from Spain. Mrs. Lucio's maternal grandfather, Tomas Hinojosa, was born in Brownsville in 1850.

Josefa L. Lucio was born in Brownsville, Texas, to Eutimio Liendo and Rafaela Hinojosa Liendo in 1925. Both of her parents preceded her in death. She was the second child of seven siblings. Her family, like millions of Americans, suffered the effects of the 1930's Depression.

At the age of 17, she met the love of her life, Eduardo Andres Lucio. They were married during World War II and, upon his return from serving his country in the United States Army, they proudly started their family of ten children (6 boys and 4 girls). Whereas her husband was the "Bridge Builder" in the family, Mrs. Lucio was the strong, courageous and determined "Foundation Builder" of her home. She dedicated her entire life to the care and welfare of her children and, together with her husband, she enforced their family legacy of ideals and values: a strong religious base, family unity, keen love for American principles, an unconditional passion for education, and a strong desire to serve the community. With her husband, Mrs. Lucio was able to see and to appreciate the results of their efforts, as each of their children launched into educated, successful leaders in their own fields. She loved each one dearly. They were her pride and joy

Mrs. Lucio had 20 grandchildren, 17 great grandchildren, 4 step-grandchildren, and 7 step-great-grandchildren. They were the love of her life and the sunshine of her day! They, each, brought her great joy and happiness.

Josefa L. Lucio had a zest for life second to none! She loved to travel. Mrs. Lucio traveled into Canada, Mexico, and flew to the Bahamas. She visited the states of Minnesota, Michigan, Nevada, California, Louisiana and many others, including statewide travels in Texas. She loved social events, she loved music, she loved to cook, and she loved to go out to eat with her family members. Mrs. Lucio was, also, an avid fan of the Texas Dallas Cowboys. When the last of her children graduated from college and got married, she continued to support her husband by becoming a member of the American Legion Auxiliary, the Disabled American Veterans Auxiliary, and the Ladies Auxiliary to the Veterans of Foreign Wars of the United States where she served as an officer. She also volunteered to cook for and to feed the homeless and she helped to distribute food to needy families. In addition, as a devout Catholic, she was a Eucharistic Minister at Saint Mary's and at Saint Luke's Catholic Churches. She was a very giving and generous person.

One of the highlights in Josefa L. Lucio's life occurred in 2009 when the Board of Regents of Texas A&M in Kingsville dedicated one of the biggest dormitories on campus as the Eduardo and Josefa Lucio Hall in recognition of their strong commitment to higher education and to honor the accomplishments of their children, three of whom graduated from Texas A&I University.

Mrs. Lucio treasured the moments that she spent celebrating her children's accomplishments. She sat on the floor of the Texas House of Representatives and on the floor of the Texas State Senate with her son, Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. She had brunch at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas, when her son was Governor for a Day. She attended many functions and met many high ranking National, State, and local government officials. Mrs. Lucio stood humbly and proudly with her family as a middle school in Brownsville ISD was dedicated in honor of her son and his work to benefit education: Senator Eddie Lucio. Jr. Middle School. Mrs. Lucio experienced the joy of seeing her children walk across the stage to receive their Bachelors and Masters Degrees. She rejoiced as her children became an Assistant Superintendent, School Principals, Program Administrators, Curriculum Coordinators, Teachers, and a Teacher Assistant. She has a son who is a businessman and a Golf Professional who is an Administrator for Cameron County. Another son is a Mechanical Engineer, CEO and principal owner of Hallberg Engineering, and an other is a Texas State Senator. Her son, +Joe Lucio was a gifted musician and Music Teacher.

She also attended many university graduations of her grandchildren who raised the bar in educational accomplishments. Mrs. Lucio greatly treasured her family who was the center of her life and of her world!! She loved each one of her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren with great passion and devotion!

Mrs. Lucio will be greatly missed by her family and many friends who loved and appreciated her very much! She had an amazing life and was an exceptional mother.

In addition to her parents, Eutimio Liendo, Jr. and Rafaela Hinojosa Liendo, and her husband, Eduardo Andres Lucio, Sr., Josefa L. Lucio was preceded in death by her beloved son, Joe (Jose Luis) Lucio, her older sister, Guadalupe Liendo Garza, and two brothers, Eutimio Liendo and Tomas Liendo.

Sharing in grief and forever cherishing her memory are her children: Beatrice Lucio Rodriguez (Albert), Senator Eddie Lucio, Jr. (Minnie), Bertie Lucio Caballero (Ruben Jaime), Helen Lucio, Maggie Lucio Arellano, Jesse Lucio (Ada), David Lucio (Melba), Bob Lucio (Diana), and Richard Lee Lucio (Kim), her 20 grandchildren and her 17 great grandchildren, her 4 step grandchildren, and her 7 step great grandchildren. Also sharing in grief are her sister-in-law, Fannie Liendo from Detroit, Michigan; her brother Juan Liendo, from Brownsville, Texas; her brother, Isidro Liendo (Amy) from Taylor, Michigan; her sister-in-law, Chela Mendieta Liendo from Brownsville, Texas; her sister Romana Liendo Clive from Houston, Texas; and, her brother-in-law Conrado Lucio (Nadine) from Riverside, California. In addition, Mrs. Lucio has numerous nieces and nephews and other extended family.

Visitation hours for family and friends will be Sunday, August 27, 2017, at Darling-Mouser from 3 to 6 pm. A Holy Rosary of Resurrection will follow at 7:30 pm at Saint Mary's Catholic Church, on the same date. Mass of Resurrection will be at Saint Mary's Catholic Church on Monday, August 28, 2017, at 10 am. Family and friends are invited to meet at the church. Entombment will follow in the Mausoleum at Buena Vista Burial Park.

Pallbearers will be her 5 sons and her grandsons. Honorary Pallbearers will be members of her immediate family.

In lieu of flowers, the Lucio family requests that memorial donations be made to the Eduardo and Josefa Lucio Scholarship Fund. Donations can be made in person or mailed to Lone Star National Bank, 3300 North Expressway 83, Brownsville, Texas, 78521, (956) 554-6800.

Funeral arrangements have been entrusted to Darling-Mouser Funeral Home, 945 Palm Blvd., Brownsville, Texas, (956) 546 -7111).

Family and friends are invited to view Josefa Liendo Lucio's Obituary, to sign the guestbook, and to send condolences to the Lucio family at www.darlingmouser.com .

The Lucio Family wishes to express heartfelt gratitude to Dr. Lorenzo Pelly, to Dr. Habet and Dr. Cua from the Brownsville Heart Institute, to Valley Baptist Medical Center at Brownsville, to Solara Hospital, and to the entire staff at Spanish Meadows Assisted Living for their kind attention and for the excellent care of our beloved Mother.

Visitation

Darling--Mouser Funeral Home
945 Palm Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, August 27, 2017
3:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

Service

Recitation of the Holy Rosary

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Sunday, August 27, 2017
7:30 p.m.

Funeral Mass

St. Mary Mother of the Church
1914 Barnard Road
Brownsville, TX  78520
Monday, August 28, 2017
10:00 a.m.

Cemetery

In the Mausoleum at Buena Vista Burial Park
5 McDavitt Blvd.
Brownsville, TX  78521

Memorial Contributions

Eduardo and Josefa Lucio Scholarship Fund
c/o Lone Star National Bank,3300 North Expressway 83
Brownsville, TX  78521