Rita Flores

She is survived by her loving husband of 55 years, Julian Steve Flores Jr.; and her children, Julian Steve Flores III, Leah Marie Martinez (Leonard), Catherine Reia McDonald (Doug) and Tanya Michael Ostrander (Sean).

Rita will also be remembered by her grandchildren, Julian Steve Flores IV, Joseph Anthony Gutierrez (Ivonne), Catherine Renee Gibbons, Nicole Leeann Flores, Christopher Leeland Flores (Crystal), Tracy Juliann Akiyama, Jessica Lauren Martinez, Julia Morgan Martinez, Ciara Malia McDonald, Tara Anne Ostrander, and Kyle Reid Ostrander; and great-grandchildren, Aaron Matthew Garcia, Azure Marie DeLaLuz Garcia, Aydan Michael Flores-Garcia, Julian Ambrosio Estrada-Gutierrez, Elena Isabel Estrada-Gutierrez, and Celestina Renee Flores.

Rita was a wonderful and talented hairdresser for over 59 years. She enjoyed working and visiting with her customers whom she considered family. Spending time with them made her feel like she never “worked” a day in her life. She expressed her love for Hawaii by growing beautiful flower gardens in her yard, surrounding herself with a piece of paradise. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother who always loved to be surrounded by family and friends. She enjoyed having big gatherings, making her home a warm and loving place for everyone. She will always be admired for her strength and kindness. Rita’s warm, beautiful smile will never be forgotten.

We would like to thank all of her family, friends and patrons for their thoughts and prayers. We thank all those for sending wonderful, encouraging cards to her. They were greatly appreciated. The family would also like to thank Dr. Amaria, Dr. Yu, Dr. Sturgis, Nurse Marites Domine, and the rest of the wonderful, kind, loving staff at MD Anderson for taking care of her.

In lieu of flowers, donations to MD Anderson would be appreciated for the continued research to find a cure for Melanoma cancer.

A Memorial Service will be held in Rita’s honor at Memory Gardens Funeral Home on Saturday, November 8, 2014 at 12:00 PM. A reception will follow at the Corpus Christi Police Officer’s Association at 2:00 PM.