Dahlia Salinas Garza

Dahlia Salinas Garza passed away peacefully and comfortable at her home on Thursday, June 30, 2016 after a hard fought battle with cancer. She was born on May 6, 1943 in Elsa, TX to the late Hector Sr. Salinas and Paula Salinas. Dahlia will be remembered as a beloved mother, sister, grandmother, great-grandmother, aunt and friend. She was an avid sports fan always following her children’s, grandchildren’s, nieces and nephews sports endeavors. She herself was an outstanding athlete, as a pitcher for both slow and fast pitch leagues. There wasn’t a sports event she wouldn’t miss involving her family. Dahlia enjoyed cooking for her family and friends and was infamous for her pan de polvo cookies. She enjoyed assisting with the Buccaneer Sports Hall of Fame. She was an educator working over 30 years with elementary students. Dahlia worked with Harlingen CISD and CCISD where she retired in 2004. She is preceded in death by her husband, Samuel M. Garza and parents, Hector and Paula Salinas. She is survived by her four children, Dolores Cruz of Harlingen, Deborah (Tony) Barrera of Corpus Christi, Sammy (Barbara) Garza Jr. of Ft. Worth and Diane Garza of Corpus Christi. Dahlia is also survived by her grandchildren, Orlando, Derek and Brandi Cruz, Nikki Cortinas and Christian Garza-Gallegos, Shane, Hailey, Callen and Jack Garza; great-grandchildren, Matthew Cruz and Stassi Luna; sister, Imelda (Arnold) Acuna and one brother, Hector (Thelma) Salinas of Corpus Christi and numerous nieces and nephews. The family would like to give a special thanks to all of those who cared for her during her 2 ½ year illness. Visitation will be held at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Tuesday, July 5, 2016 from 5:00 pm to 9:00 pm with a Holy Rosary to be recited at 7:00 pm that same evening. Funeral Mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, July 6, 2016 at 10:00 am at Christ the King Catholic Church, 3423 Rojo, with entombment to follow at Memory Gardens Cemetery. Pallbearers will be Orlando Cruz, Derek Cruz, Shane Garza, Christian Garza-Gallegos, Callen Garza and Ernest Cortinas Jr. Honorary pallbearer will be Jack Garza.