Genoveva Graciela Villalobos

Genoveva, oldest daughter of Genoveva and Leopoldo Sotomayor, was born in Mexico City, Mexico, and became a lifelong resident of El Paso and a veteran educator. She graduated from Jefferson High School in 1963 and received her Bachelor’s Degree in Education, from the University of Texas at El Paso in 1990.

Following her graduation, Genoveva began her teaching career at Blessed Sacrament and then at St. Joseph’s Elementary where she taught several grade levels for 10 years and where she was much beloved by students, staff and parents.

She also taught several grade levels at Ysleta Elementary in the Ysleta Independent School District. Loved by students, faculty and administration, they kept their connection with her during her illness by producing a video with encouraging messages of recovery.

Her extensive career in education also included 6 years as a reading specialist in adult reading classes at the El Paso Community College Valle Verde Campus.

Genoveva was an avid reader and enjoyed walking along Edgemere Park, hobbies she shared with her husband. She loved her two mini-Dachshunds, Paco and Pepe, who brought delight to her during her recovery. Genoveva loved to talk about the achievements of her two sons in Austin and delighted in regularly traveling to Austin to visit them, their wives and her grandchildren. She regularly kept in touch with her sisters and brother and visited her family members in San Antonio.

Genoveva, is survived by her husband of 45 years, Leo, son Mark Villalobos and his wife Ericka, of Austin, Texas, three granddaughters, Emory, 14, Chloe, 12, and Mikah, 11; son Matthew, and his wife Faith, of Austin, Texas; brother, Leo Sotomayor, of Hobbs, N. M.; sister Gloria Serna, sister Beatrice Sotomayor, 3 nephews and 1 niece, all residents of San Antonio; brother-in-law Luis Villalobos, wife Rosie, and 2 nephews and 1 niece in El Paso.

Rosary services will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, June 16, at the Funeraria Del Angel Martin Central, 3839 Montana, with Funeral Mass at 10 a.m. Friday, June 17, at St. Raphael’s Catholic Church.