Mom was born in Austin, Texas on October 31, 1923. She was a proud, lifelong resident of both East and South Austin. She graduated from Austin High School in 1941. Next, she attended the University of Texas at Austin, where she completed her undergraduate degree in Education in 1945. She then went on to earn her graduate degree in Curriculum and Instruction in 1977.
Mom married Enrique L. Saenz (McAllen, Texas) on December 23, 1950. They were happily married for 52 years. Together they had five children and three grandchildren. Additionally, she cherished and nurtured numerous friendships from her career, her neighborhood and parish life. She impacted all the lives she touched in countless beneficial ways.
Edelmira began her lifelong teaching career at Comal School in East Austin before starting her official teaching employment with Austin I. S. D. She taught at Metz, Brooke, and Zavala elementary schools spanning 34 years. During her career, she was one of the initial three pioneering teachers charged with developing and implementing the bilingual education program for Austin I. S. D.
In addition to her teaching career and more importantly to her, Mom cared for and supported her husband and family in various community activities such as Boy Scouts, PTA, and San Jose Ministries.
After retiring, Mom continued her love of teaching as a volunteer ESL instructor at San Jose. She also loved to garden, read, travel, and practice calligraphy. Then in 1989, Mom and Dad’s lives were blessed again with their first granddaughter, Lily. Guillermo came in 1990. And finally, in 2002, came Marisol.
Mom was preceded in death by her beloved “Mamita”, Isidra Munoz Herrera (1951), her husband of 52 years, Enrique L. Saenz (2002), and her son, Pedro Antonio Saenz (2022).
Mom is survived by her children: Alejandra Isidra (Beeda), Enrique Jose (Bubba), Nancy Saenz (widow of Pedro Antonio), Maria Elena (Mita) Saenz (V. Rocky Farias), Tomas Adrian (Tom), and her grandchildren Lilian Grace Zamarripa-Saenz, Guillermo Andres Zamarripa-Saenz, and Marisol Alicia Farias as well as an abundance of nieces and nephews, neighbors, and friends.
Viewing will be at Weed, Corley, Fish 2600 South Congress Avenue on Tuesday February 20 from 4:00 to 7:00 PM. The recitation of the Holy Rosary will begin at 7:00 PM. Mass of Christian Burial will be on Wednesday, February 21 at 1:00 PM at San Jose Catholic Church 2535 Oak Crest Avenue. Cemetery interment will be at Cook Walden Forest Oaks Cemetery 6300 W. William Cannon Drive at 2:30 PM.
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