Isabel R. Navarro

Born on July 8, 1935, a self-described “July baby”, Isabel was the second to youngest child of Blas Rodriguez and Juana Caudillo de Rodriguez of Lockhart, Texas.

At the age of 15, she courageously followed her vocation to the consecrated religious life and became a member of the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence, at St. Andrew’s Convent in San Antonio. As a member of this first group of Mexican American Religious, she dedicated herself to working with families in San Diego and later in various towns in the Rio Grande Valley. Even after she left the religious life in the 1960’s, she continued to volunteer her time as an Associate with this community of Sisters that had further shaped the foundational spirituality Isabel absorbed from her parents and family life.

While teaching at Burleson Elementary School in Edgewood ISD, Isabel met the love of her life - a fellow teacher - Aurelio “Nick” Navarro, son of Aurelio Navarro and Maria Refugia Garcia de Navarro, originally of Asherton, Texas. Nick and Isabel married on July 29, 1972. Soon after, they built a home in Leon Valley. For many years they enjoyed hosting Fourth of July pool parties there for the entire family, at which Isabel’s refreshing fresh fruit salad was always served alongside the barbeque and beans.

Isabel did not have any biological children. Rather, God gave her the privilege of fostering the growth of countless young children through her caring attentiveness as a teacher. After receiving a Master’s degree from Our Lady of the Lake University, she continued to work on behalf of young children and their families as a counselor with the San Antonio ISD.

It was a common experience when out in public with her to witness former students and their families greet her with fond memories and demonstrations of gratitude. Isabel breathed the love of reading and writing into so many young lives in a way that truly made a difference. And, she prized good penmanship, a skill she practiced regularly at home!

Isabel and Nick were devoted parishioners of San Alphonsus Catholic Church, and attended the 9:00 am Mass on Sundays. They assisted many pastors and staff there as volunteers throughout the years. Among other activities, Isabel taught in the religious education program, served on the pastoral council, and helped with many of the Church’s fundraising events. Among those was a large renovation project that occurred in the early 2000’s. Although her funeral mass cannot be held at San Alphonsus due to an incipient improvement project, she is undoubtedly smiling upon that project in approval.

Throughout her retirement, Isabel maintained a very active volunteer and social life. She kept up with multiple groups of friends from her teaching and counseling career, San Alphonsus Church, the Missionary Catechists of Divine Providence, a widows support group, her Leon Valley neighborhood, and the Red Hat Society.

Isabel is survived by her youngest sister Sally Lightfoot. She leaves behind an impressively large number of nieces and nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews (on both the Rodriguez and Navarro sides of the family); cousins; sister/brothers-in-law; and a good many friends who are all too numerous to name individually.

Isabel was predeceased by her husband Nick Navarro; her parents Blas and Juana Rodriguez; her paternal grandparents Eugenio Rodriguez and Eudora Calderon de Rodriguez; her maternal grandparents Mauricio Caudillo and Teresa Sanchez de Caudillo; six sisters, and five brothers.

Services to celebrate Isabel’s life are being handled by Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home, 226 Cupples Rd. (210.434.0595). There will be a visitation at Trevino Funeral Home from 5 pm to 9 pm on Sunday May 29, 2016. Her funeral mass will be at San Juan de los Lagos Catholic Church (3231 El Paso St.) on Monday May 30, 2016 at 10 am. Finally, there will be a committal service at 11:15 am at San Fernando Catholic Cemetery No. 2 (746 Castroville Rd.). Please join the family for a meal at San Juan de los Lagos Church after the committal service.Arrangements under the direction of Funeraria Del Angel Trevino Funeral Home, San Antonio, TX.