Maria Antonieta "Toni" Montemayor

Maria Antonieta “Toni” Melguizo de Montemayor, 76, entered into eternal rest on Saturday, January 30, 2021.

Toni was born in Brownsville, Texas but grew up in Matamoros, Tamaulipas, Mexico. She attended both Incarnate Word Academy and Villa Maria High School. Upon graduation in 1962, she married Luis Xavier Montemayor.

Toni’s passion in life was her family and her faith. Her laugh was deep and contagious. She was known for her compassionate heart, her eagerness to help others, and for her stunning beauty both inside and out. To her mother Rosita Sobrino, “Tita”, she was a constant companion and friend. To her husband Xavier, whom she shared 58 years of marriage, she was the foundation of their home and the love of his life. To her brother Enrique, she was a loving elder sister. To her children Marcela (Miguel Ortiz), Patricia (Sergio Argüelles) and Xavier (Carole Andrews), she was a dedicated and loving mother and the perfect example of a woman instilled with love, values, humility, hard work and elegance. To her grandchildren (Regina, Carolina, Sergio, Alejandro, Santiago, Xavier and Natalia) and great grandson (Nico), she was affectionately known as “Mamitoni” or “Conki”, a devoted and caring grandmother, and in her eyes they were perfect. She never tired of giving them long hugs and showering them with kisses, often pinching their cheeks between her fingers as she told them how she adored them. To her friends she was unwaveringly loyal, supportive, and always willing to listen when someone needed to talk. She was selfless and loving to all who knew her.

Toni’s faith guided her throughout her life. As a young mother, she formed a catechism group with several of her friends to prepare children for their first communion.  With her husband, she was instrumental in the building of The Sagrada Familia church in Matamoros. As a young couple, Toni and Xavier, served as members of the Movimiento Familiar Cristiano participating as marriage counselors to the Diocese. As a member of the Catholic charity, CARITAS, she was devoted to serving the less privileged of her community, and with her mother by her side, she was a perfect example of faith in action. Her dedication led her to participate in numerous activities such as the Asociación Gilberto in Matamoros, teaching English as a Second Language in Brownsville, volunteering at Valley Regional Hospital as a minister of the Holy Communion, as well as comforting and praying with patients. With her brother Enrique and sister-in-law Lolis, she aided Father Michael in feeding the homeless in Brownsville. Most recently she was involved in VIFAC, helping young pregnant women in need. Throughout her life she participated in many prayer groups and was especially devoted to the Holy Rosary.

She will be deeply missed by the innumerable family members, nieces and nephews, friends and children of her friends with whom she shared very close relationships and became family as well. Toni left this world with a strong faith in God’s Love and unfathomable Mercy and trusting in his perfect plan for us all. Let us follow her example and trust that we will someday all come together again in the Glory of God which awaits us.

Funeral services will be private.

In lieu of flowers, memorial gifts may be given in Toni’s name to the following:  Vifac-Brownsville Inc.  (https://www.lifeandfamily.net/) or St. Joseph Academy (http://bit.ly/tonimontemayor), 101 St. Joseph Drive, Brownsville, Texas 78520