Hortencia Aguirre, 77, beloved mother and grandmother, passed away Thursday, January 7, 2021, in a local hospital. Hortencia has been a resident of El Paso since her childhood. She was a formidable woman who put herself through school while working and raising three girls. She was a loving mother and grandmother who was always involved in her grandchildren’s lives. She graduated from the University of Texas at El Paso in1981 with a Bachelor’s degree in Education. She was a first grade bilingual teacher with the Ysleta Independent School District for 22 years. She worked at Del Norte Heights Elementary for all of those years. She received many service awards from the District and was one of the first Bilingual teachers for the District. She was also featured in several El Paso Times articles throughout her career as a model bilingual teacher. She was a master teacher well versed in her craft and loved by her students and colleagues. She was known as a generous, caring soul, who always exemplified all that a model citizen should be.
She gave generously to her favorite charity, St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital. She was always quick to help people in need in her community. She is survived by her three daughters, Sally Salayandia-Bungash (St. John, Canada), Irene Salayandia-Quintana (El Paso), and Annette Salayandia (El Paso). Her grandchildren, Yasmin Salayandia Bungash (Boston, MA), Sabrina Salayandia Bungash (Pittsburgh, PA), Fernando Guillermo Salayandia Quintana (El Paso), and Katherine Eileene Salayandia Quintana (El Paso). She is also survived by her siblings, Blanca Olivia Gerardo-Rodriguez (El Paso) and Arturo Gerardo (El Paso). Viewing and church services will be at Word of Life Church. The viewing will be from 10:00-11:00 a.m. and the church service will be from 11:00-12:00. She will be laid to rest at Mount Carmel Cemetery. Flower arrangements may be sent to Crestview Funeral Home at 1462 N. Zaragoza, El Paso, TX 79936.
