Bob, Shirley, Joyce and all of the Arizpe family. I express my deepest condolences on the loss of your mom, Bertha. I didn't know her personally, but know that she was a remarkable woman. I know that she raised a beautiful family and that is her legacy. May her shining light be upon you every single day. Godspeed.

Mr. Arizpe,You and your family are in my thoughts and prayers during this difficult time.  May the loving memories you created with your mother comfort you and your family at this trying time.

A word about my grandmother, that my brother Andre read at the rosary on Monday September 12, 2016:

Ten days ago, my grandmother, Bertha Arizpe, would have turned ninety-one. Seventy-seven years ago this Friday, she met my grandfather, Facundo, for the first time. Sixty-nine years ago this November 23rd, they got married. 

It feels especially important to recall these special dates today, considering that Bertha knew the birthdays, anniversaries, and due dates of just about every person in this room. That's just how she was  she loved all of us, and she always made sure that we knew that.

//

When I was little, it was a six-hour car ride to Namaw and Tapaw's house. (That's what my immediate family called Bertha and Facundo.) I always looked forward to those trips, not least because I always received a hero's welcome at their doorstep. The way Namaw hugged me the instant I entered their home, made me feel like I was amazing just for being there, simply for existing. That was always pretty cool.

Our visits often fell on holidays, so there would be celebratory feasting, too: the driest turkey imaginable on Thanksgiving; perfectly greasy tamales at Christmas; rice and beans and chips and salsa and sodas in the refrigerator in the garage if you asked nicely and I can't even think of what else because, man, that dry turkey was my favorite.

No matter the occasion, there was Namaw's hot sauce: an opaque plastic bowl of it, in the middle of the round wooden table adjacent to the big, long one with the plastic cover on it in case we spilled anything. Now as an adult, I feel like, one day, when my wife and I have kids and grandkids and great-grandkids of our own, maybe we should have that hot sauce on our table, too.

//

When I was eight years old, my mom, dad, sister, brother, and I moved to to San Antonio. That meant more frequent trips to Namaw and Tapaw's house. I never talked to either one of them a whole lot, because that's not in my nature. But I observed.

I came to learn how their house and their vehicles and their bank and Tapaw's office and Namaw's favorite hamburger drive-in looked and sounded and smelled. I saw how she stole little tastes of whatever was simmering on the stove. I heard an adorably high-pitched Hi, honey! anytime she answered the phone. And I started to realize that her accent turned my dad's name into a verb. (Hey, Bop!) It's funny how you never forget that stuff.

//

When I was twenty, Tapaw passed away. I was in college in New York at the time, and I was home for the holidays, and I thought I was this big, tough guy who wasn't going to cry. But then I saw Namaw in tears, something I would only ever see a handful of times. In that instant, I felt powerless. She and the love of her life had been married for 57 years. What relief could my condolences and my hugs ever offer to this sweet lady? Back then, I didn't know.

But Namaw was the only grandparent that knew me as an adult, and the older I got, the more I started to see that my dad is a lot like Tapaw, and I am a lot like my dad. I think Namaw found joy in that common spirit joy in my feeble attempts to speak Spanish and joy in the fact that I married the love of my life, too.

In one of his journals, Tapaw had written of the day he met Namaw, September 16, 1939: My knees were trembling, and all I can remember [is that] she got up and danced with me. I was so happy because she was and still is the most beautiful person on earth.

He was right. To their children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, extended family, and countless friends, Bertha was, and always will be, the most beautiful.

May our Lord bless and comfort the entire Arizpe family during this time of grief.  Please accept our sincere condolences.

Dearest Shirley and the entire Arizpe family, sending my heartfelt sympathies on the loss of Bertha.  My prayers are with you all in this most difficult time.

Our sincerest condolences to all of the Arizpe Family.  Our prayers are with you and may God give you Peace and Comfort. Her kindness and love will always be with us. God Bless all of you!

Our sincere condolences to the Arizpe family.  We have lost a most wonderful and loving neighbor.  Even in ill health, she would call and ask if there was anything she could do for us.  She will be greatly missed.

Our sincere condolences to all of the Arizpe Family. Our prayers of comfort and love at this difficult time.

My sincerest condolences to you and your family for your loss. Wishing you much peace, comfort and love during this difficult time.

Jackie - I'd like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time and I pray for comfort and peace.

I'd like to express my sincere condolences to you and your family. My thoughts are with you during this difficult time and I pray for comfort, peace, and the love of God to embrace you all.

Mr. Arizpe,
May Devine Love comfort you and you family during this time of sadness and reflection. Elaine Dixon,RN SASH Admissions Unit

Mr. Arizpe, you are in our thoughts & prayers at this time of your loss,  wishing  you comfort ,peace & grace to carry you & family through this period. May her gentle soul rest in perfect peace.  Stay blessed. Fannin hall staff, San Antonio State Hospital.

Sending our deepest condolences to you and your family.  You all are in our thoughts and in our prayers.  Sincerely, Admission staff San Antonio State Hospital

my deepest condolences to you and your family, she is in the loving hands of the our lord. God bless you

Mr. Arizpe, I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May the soul of your mother be at peace with our Heavenly Father.

My deepest sympathies to the Arizpe family . I will be sending my thoughts and prayers .
 Carmen Carolina Silva LVN -Laredo , Texas

Dear Mom ~ "Nana", 
You loved me like your own daughter and it always made my heart happy when we would be together or talk. I could never have dreamed of having a more loving, caring, generous and beautiful mother-in-law, but God graced me with you. I am so grateful that you became and still are my my other mother. I miss you so much already, but I am so happy for you that you have rejoined Dad "Tata" and God in Heaven. It is so comforting to have you as another guardian angel to guide me and protect me and our family. I love you and look forward to being with you again when God calls me. Blessings and joy precious Mom!

My heartfelt condolences for your loss. May the sorrow that you are feeling in your heart lessen by the love that surrounds you and your family.

"My Deepest sympathies to you and your family. Praying for your family in this time of need."

Mr Arizpe my thought and prayers are with you and your family at the loose of your beloved mother.  God bless.

Bob Saenz

You will be in my thoughts and prayers.  Losing a mother, a once in a lifetime experience, is a difficult experience no matter how long one has to prepare for it.

My thoughts, prayers and sincere sympathies are with you.  May you find comfort in God's love, and through faith, his promise of eternal life where we will meet again.

Our heartfelt condolences to your family during this time of sorrow.  Please know that we are keeping you and yours in our thoughts and prayers.

May your hearts soon be filled with wonderful memories of joyful times together as you celebrate a Life well lived.

OBITUARY

Bertha Arizpe

2 September, 1925 – 1 September, 2016

Sunset Memorial Park & Funeral Home

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