Dora Saenz

Our precious mother and grandmother, Dora Saenz passed away peacefully on August 09, 2022, in Corpus Christi, Texas, in her home, surrounded by her children, at the young age of ninety-four! She was born November 23, 1927, in Rio Hondo, Texas.

Dora met the love of her life, Juan Saenz, on an early Monday morning as she was entering the Rainbow Bakery in Harlingen, Texas, in 1942. The story is that she walked into the bakery and “accidentally” fell in front of Juan where they locked eyes and fell madly in love forever! They married three years later and made a loving home for their six children: Juan Manuel (Sarah), Gilberto (Ann Noemi), Ray (Elizabeth), Elena (Neo), Robert (Elizabeth), and Sylvia (Santiago).

Dora and Juan moved their family to Corpus Christi, Texas, in 1961. Dora was a dedicated homemaker and mother, first and foremost. Nothing brought her more joy that having her children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren over for a visit on Sunday evenings, weekends, and holidays. She was truly a master cook. She loved to indulge her family with her homemade pies, empanadas, tortillas, tamales, menudo, and her famous hot cocoa. Up until the age of ninety-two, Dora made the pumpkin pies for the family’s Thanksgiving feast!

Dora was not only dedicated to her family, but she was very grounded in her faith. She served her church in several ways throughout 60+ years. During this time, she was a Sunday School teacher, Women’s Ministries President, Women’s Ministries Sectional Representative, a Board Member at Primera Asamblea de Dios, a Missionette (Young Girls) Sponsor, and she began an outreach program dedicated to ministering to young women incarcerated at the local County Jail. Even in her eighties, it was not unusual for you to find Dora on a Saturday morning alongside her son-in-law, feeding the homeless out in the streets of Corpus Christi. It was of no surprise to anyone that Dora was honored with the “Woman of the Year” award in her local area for all her work in the Women’s Ministries Department. Her greatest gift though, was in her discipleship and the family and friends that came to know Jesus through knowing Dora.

Dora is preceded in death by the love of her life and husband of 49 years, Juan Saenz, her parents, Manuel and Santos Lopez, and seven siblings…Merced, Samuel, Gilberto, David, Sara, Lydia, and Maria Elva. She is survived by her brother, Daniel Lopez, her six children, nineteen grandchildren, and thirty-one great-grandchildren.

Her family will, surely, miss her big presence in their lives but rejoice in knowing she is in peace and resting “as the good and faithful servant that she was.” Mom, you ran the race set out before you; you finished well. Until we meet again!

Visitation for Dora will be held Friday, August 19, 2022 from 5:00 - 8:00 PM at Memory Gardens Funeral Home, 8200 Old Brownsville Road, Corpus Christi, Texas 78415 with a prayer service at 6:00 PM. Funeral Services will be held on Saturday, August 20, 2022 at 9:45 AM with burial to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery.

Fond memories and expressions of sympathy may be shared at www.MemoryGardensFuneralHome.com for the Saenz family.