Nora Benavides De La Cruz

Nora Benavides De La Cruz was born in Harlingen, Texas to Fidencio and Bruna (Brunita) Benavides. She was the oldest of five children. She is preceded in death by her husband, (Ret.) Major Roberto De La Cruz (USAF); her parents, Fidencio and Bruna; her brothers, Cipriano (Vone) and Jose; sister, Julia Araujo. Three infant children, Roberto II, Roberto III and Celia De La Cruz, also precede her in death.

Nora (Mom) had a very full life. Although she was a small town girl raised in the Rio Grande Valley, she was swept off her feet by Dad, a handsome young man who had just returned to his home town, San Benito, after traveling all over the South Pacific while serving in the Navy during WWII on the USS Saratoga. A chance meeting in the small soda fountain shop where Mom worked at that time is where the adventure began.

Mom raised seven children, six daughters and one son. When we were kids Mom’s talents amazed us. She was a champion Jax player. None of us could outplay her. She made paper kites and taught us how to fly them. She jumped rope with us and was the most beautiful Mom in the world – of course. She loved to have a “cup of coffee” with her “comadres”. She used this term lovingly with her neighborhood friends. She and Dad were very sociable and often when dancing with friends. With seven kids, how can you blame them? Our Aunt Julia was often our babysitter and that is a whole other story.

Mom made the most delicious flour tortillas she was an amazing cook. No measuring here, just experience. We can smell her kitchen now. We wish we had paid more attention to her recipes, but have wonderful memories. She often shared her delicious food with friends during social gatherings. Her homemade enchiladas were always a special request and a big hit.

As a military wife, she and Dad had fun. She was a champion bowler and won many trophies on the Women’s Bowling Leagues. She could even out bowl Dad. She loved to play Bunco with her girlfriends and when we lived in the Panama Canal Zone, she learned the art of “shelling,” often collecting and cleaning Conch shells, as well as collecting unique bottles found and dug up in the jungle along the Canal. Mom was a Cub Scout Den Mother, who adored and was very proud of “her boys.” She also spent over 25 years as a Family Services Volunteer at several Air Force installations and was recognized with a special service pin and photo write up in the Lackland AFB newspaper for this accomplishment. Mom was also a master gardener. She could grow anything and loved her plants and garden. She spent many hours outside gardening and tending to her favorite plants and flowers. Mom was also a collector. She had a collection of Carnival Glass, Black Milk Glass and many other collectables. Her China Cabinets were full.

On those times when Dad was stationed on remote assignments, Mom cared for us alone. She was a very strong woman being in charge of her growing and large family. We often talk about the responsibilities Mom had at such a young age.

After Dad’s retirement, Mom and Dad loved to go to the local Senior Center and play Mexican Train. Mom continued to spend many hours outside where she grew all her favorite plants. By then, Mom was done cooking for the most part and enjoyed going out to eat with Dad. Every once in a while she would leave her garden and get in the kitchen and as soon as the onions and garlic started to sauté, Dad would always say, “Your kitchen smells good Nora!”

How Mom did everything she did, amazes us today. What a full and happy life with Dad. She also had many friends of her own whom she managed to keep in touch with. Mom and Dad were married 69 years when he died in 2017 at 90. Mom could not wait to join him and often told us he was not supposed to go first. We managed to keep her happy for the next three years without Dad but she missed him terribly.

As her health declined she moved to West Oaks Nursing Rehabilitation where the staff was very caring and loving. They all told us often how much they loved Mom. She called all of the ladies “Mija” and was appreciative of them. How could you not love her? One of the staff members told Mom she was going to Dallas to watch a Cowboys home game. Mom was an avid fan of the Cowboys and used her Cowboys blanket almost every day. When asked if Mom had any requests once she got inside the stadium, Mom raised her arms up and said, “Let’s win this one!” How could you not love her? Mom also kept up with current events surfing the Internet, posting on Facebook and playing computer games on her cell phone or I Pad. Mom’s favorite past time was also watching her “Big Ass TV”. That is how she referred to it.

Her sister, Mary Garcia, survives mom. Mom is also survived by all of her children and their spouses: Belinda Emami, Cynthia Carrasquillo and her husband Pablo, Becky Tovar and her husband Dan, Sandra De La Cruz and her wife Darcie Sagué, Santa De La Cruz, Robert De La Cruz and his wife Diana, and Rosario De La Cruz. Sixteen grandchildren and their spouses and eight great grandchildren also survive mom.

We want to thank the staff at West Oaks Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Austin, Texas as they provided excellent care of our Mom. We will always be grateful for the compassion in which they cared for our Mom when she was vibrant and when she became very sick.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests that you write your elected officials to support Nursing homes as they care for our most vulnerable and aging population. They often put their own lives in danger fighting to save the lives of the residents in their care. The staff in these facilities are currently fighting hard from the front lines to help save lives during the current COVID- 19 Pandemic. One day you may find yourself in a Nursing Home. Would you not want the decision makers looking out for those who care for you? In our eyes they are “Heroes!”