Maria Olivia Muñoz

Maria Olivia Munoz, 94, passed away on 09/24/2024 at her home surrounded by her family. Olivia, the name she preferred, was born December 17, 1929 to Juan Gordoa Mena and Esther Jimenez Rodriguez. Her father passed away when Olivia was nine years old, but she was blessed with a loving stepfather, Manuel Rodriguez. Olivia was an honors graduate of Jefferson Davis High School and a graduate of the University of Houston where she attained her Bachelors and Masters degrees in Education. Her career began as a teacher in the small town of Rio Grande City, located in the south Texas valley. She met her husband Raul Munoz Jr and married in 1952. In 1959 they moved to Houston where they both became educators with the Houston Independent School District. She presided as Director of Foreign Languages for the Houston Independent School District for many years before her retirement. During her career she was also President of the Institute of Hispanic Culture and President of the Foreign Language Teachers Association. She enjoyed traveling and using her language skills in Mexico, Spain and France.

She is preceded in death by her parents Juan Mena and Esther Rodriguez, step-father Manuel Rodriguez, husband Raul Munoz Jr, son Juan Raul Munoz, sisters Connie Herrera, Eva Martinez, Virginia Garcia and Esther Bexar. She is survived by her daughter Patricia Rivera, Gil Rivera (husband) and Eloise Rodriguez (sister) as well as many nieces and nephews, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

A visitation for Maria will be held Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 10:00 AM to 12:00 PM at Forest Park Lawndale Funeral Home, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A funeral service will occur Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 12:00 PM to 12:50 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023. A committal service will occur Wednesday, October 2, 2024 from 1:00 PM to 1:45 PM, 6900 Lawndale Street, Houston, TX 77023.