To request a copy of this photo for your own personal use, please contact our state coordinator. If you are not a family member or the original photographer — please refrain from copying or distributing this photo to other websites.
Thank you for visiting the Texas Gravestone Photo Project. On this site you can upload gravestone photos, locate ancestors and perform genealogy research. If you have a relative buried in Texas, we encourage you to upload a digital image using our Submit a Photo page. Contributing to this genealogy archive helps family historians and genealogy researchers locate their relatives and complete their family tree.
Submitted: 7/16/21 • Approved: 7/22/21 • Last Updated: 8/17/21 • R437521-G437520-S3
Estela Pena Alonzo
Born 9 February 1936
Died 28 January 2012
*Obituary The Monitor on January 30, 2012
McALLEN - Estela Pena Alonzo, blessed wife, mother, grandmother, sister and friend, lived to please the Lord with her time, talent and treasures. She was an example of faith, cheerfulness and generosity to all who knew her. Estela began her life in Monterrey, Mexico. Shortly after marriage to her sweetheart, Raul E. Alonzo, and the birth of their first child, they immigrated to United States and made their home in Chicago, Illinois for 13 years and 6 children later, in 1968, they moved again to McAllen, Texas, a place Estela would call home the rest of her days.
Estela's job was the most rewarding employment in the world. She was a stay at home mom to all her 7 children, many of her grandchildren and many others who called her mom and grandma. For over 40 years, Estela was a member and leader at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McAllen. She served in the Spanish Choir, as a Eucharistic Minister and as a Baptismal Class teacher. She visited the sick and elderly, singing to them and giving them the blessed sacraments. She helped provide meals, prayers and comfort to those in need.
Estela always had a song on her lips and a kind word to say. Her hands stayed busy tending to her husband, family and friends. You couldn't find a better cook, a sweeter voice or more willing heart to help a person in need. She will be greatly missed. Estela exemplifies the virtuous woman in the book of Proverbs, chapter 31 and verses 10-12 and 28-31.
"Who can find a virtuous and capable wife, she is more precious than rubies, her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. Her children stand and bless her. He husband praises her; there are many virtuous and capable women in the world, you surpass them all. Charm is deceptive and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the Lord, will be greatly praised. Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publically declare her praise."
Estela is now with her blessed Lord, whom she served with a willing heart. May we all live worthy of her memory. She is preceded in death by her parents, Donaciano and Maria De Jesus (Gonzalez) Pena; two brothers, Alfonso Pena and Artemio Pena; two sisters, Hermila Gonzalez Pena and Henriqueta Espinoza.
She is survived by her husband: Raul Alonzo; four daughters, Mary Quintanilla (Armando) of McAllen, Lupita Rodriguez (Panta) of McAllen, Nora Lara (Felix) of Alamo, Diana Moreno (Albert) of La Blanca; three sons, Jose Alonzo of McAllen, Jesse Alonzo (Elvira) of Palmhurst, and David Alonzo (Dee Dee) of McAllen; one sister, Maria Guadalupe Pena De Villarreal; two brothers, Arnulfo Pena and Jesus Pena; 19 grandchildren and four great-grandchildren.
A Mass of Resurrection was held at 10:00 am on Monday, January 30, 2012 at Our Lady Of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McAllen officiated by Mons. Juan Nicolau. Interment followed at La Piedad Cemetery in McAllen.
Raul E. Alonzo
Born 11 July 1932
Reynosa Municipality, Tamaulipas, Mexico
Died 29 December 2015
McAllen, Hidalgo County, Texas
*Obituary
McAllen - Raul E. Alonzo went to be with our Lord, Tuesday, December 29, 2015 in his McAllen home surrounded by his family. He was the husband of one, father of 7, grandfather of 19, and great-grandfather of 9. He was a devoted son, brother and friend to many.
Born in Reynosa, Mexico, he moved to Monterrey, Mexico at about the age of 10. This is where he met his beautiful wife, Estela. Shortly after their marriage and the birth of their first child, they immigrated to the United States and made their home in Chicago, Illinois.
Thirteen years and 6 children later, in 1968, they moved again to McAllen, Texas, a place Raul would call home the rest of his days.
Raul made his living as a professional photographer for over 50 years, a trade he learned from his father and a passion he passed on to his children. Along with his wife and children, he helped many families capture their memories of weddings, quinceañeras, baptisms and anniversaries.
He taught his children at an early age the process of developing photos in a darkroom with his young daughters as assistants. He devoted much of his time to his church, Our Lady of Perpetual Help, serving as a Eucharistic Minister and Baptismal Class teacher. He was a leader at the 7:30 am Sunday mass.
Raul was a man who loved God, loved his family and loved his wife. This is the legacy he leaves his family. He will be greatly missed.
Raul is preceded in death by his beloved wife Estela P. Alonzo.
He is survived by four daughters, Mary A. (Armando) Quintanilla and Lupita (Panta) Rodriguez of McAllen; Nora (Felix) Lara of Alamo; Diana (Albert) Moreno of La Blanca; three sons, Joe (Iris) Alonzo of Weslaco; Jesse (Elvira) Alonzo of Palmhurst; David (DeeDee) Alonzo of McAllen; 19 grandchildren and 9 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm Friday, January 1, 2016 with a rosary being recited at 7:00 pm at Rivera Funeral Home of McAllen. A Mass of Christian burial will be held at 10:00 am Saturday, January 2, 2016 at Our Lady of Perpetual Help Catholic Church in McAllen. Interment will follow at La Piedad Cemetery in McAllen.
Funeral arrangements are under the direction of Rivera Funeral Home of McAllen.
*Photo courtesy of Linda Moore Mora
Contributed on 7/16/21
Suggest a Correction
Record #: 437521