Leonarda M. Mireles

BROWNSVILLE, TX. – Leonarda M. Mireles entered into eternal rest on Tuesday, the 14th of March 2023 at Solara Hospital in Brownsville, Texas after a short illness. She was eighty-six years of age.

Leonarda was born in Mason City, Iowa on March 6, 1937, daughter of the late Francisco C. Mireles and Galdina M. Mireles. At an early age, Leonarda and her family moved from Iowa to Brownsville, Texas where she attended Brownsville schools and graduated from Brownsville High School. She went on to attend and graduated from The University of Texas with a degree in education and later earned her Master’s in Special Education from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, Texas. Leonarda held teaching positions that spanned from Venezuela to several parts of Texas.

Aside from her passion for special education, Leonarda had a special love for dancing. This included folk dancing from all of the regions of Mexico as well as Spanish Flamenco dancing. She was also an accomplished teacher in all of these forms of dancing.

She had a gift for learning several languages including English and French.

Preceding Leonarda in death were her parents, Francisco C. Mireles and Galdina M. Mireles; and her brother, Manuel M. Mireles.

Survivors include her sister, Virginia M. Vega; her brothers, Tony J. Mireles and Frank Mireles; in addition to numerous nieces, nephews, extended family members, and a host of many friends. She is also remembered by numerous students including Jose Verdin and fellow educators.

Visiting hours will be held on Thursday, the 16th of March 2023 between the hours of five o’clock in the afternoon and nine o'clock at night, with the recitation of the holy rosary to begin at seven o'clock Thursday evening within the East Chapel of Darling-Mouser Funeral Home.

The Funeral Mass will be celebrated at twelve noon on Friday, the 17th of March 2023 at St. Mary's Catholic Church, 1914 Barnard Road, Brownsville. Entombment will then follow, via an escorted procession, at the Buena Vista Burial Park Mausoleum, 5 McDavitt Boulevard, Brownsville.

Honored to serve as her pallbearers are Frank Mireles, Tony J. Mireles, Michael Mireles, Dr. Efren G. Vega, Richard L. Vega, and Jose Verdin.

Memories of Leonarda 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.