Diana B. Alvarado

When we all get to Heaven, some people bring a Light to our lives which warms us long after they're gone. Celebrating that gift of Life of Diana B. Alvarado, what a day of Rejoicing that will be. These are some of her journey's salient life endeavors, those admired and beautiful green eyes and oh what a memory she had for details and past events.

From her humble beginnings in Corpus Christi, TX, her interactions with the staff at Holy Family Catholic Church and school, her family lived across the street. This was the beginning of a life long relationship with the Sisters of Mercy of the Blessed Sacrament. To this day Diana, Sister Teresa Gomez (her cousin) and Sister Patricia Rodriguez are affectionately known as the WhataBurger Girls - girls that never forgot their roots. Then there is Victoria Caceres Anderson, a grade school friendship that endured all the trials and tribulation of girls growing up in the Elvis Presley era, Incarnate Word HS and W.B. Ray HS, until now. Vicky would always call, especially on special occasions to play her piano and sing for her and catch up on all the latest news.

One of the high points in her life has been her devotion to her Catholic faith as a Catechist R.E. teacher - First Communion, fulfilling prayer requests, praying the rosary, Divine Mercy daily adoration chaplet. Her collection of Archangels and angels, that filled two china cabinets and three curio cabinets, plus several 3 ft high angels. At one time she had well over 150 pieces in her collection.

Her dedication and service one day a month on weekends, volunteering at the Battered Women facility or driving a SAPD community service police cruiser issuing tickets for illegal handicap parking. But more importantly, her 20 years of combined civil service at Ft. Sam Houston, Kelly AFB and Brooks AFB, when she retired in Oct. 2001.

There are two memorable trips out of state. One that grew our friendship with Jerry Cole, in St Louis, Missouri and one with Kathy & Doug Malone in Germantown, Illinois and our visit to Our Lady of the Snows Shrine, Belleville, Illinois. The second one was to the Land of Enchantment, Tularosa, New Mexico, with the family of Ernesto Ornelas, who in turn took us north to Santa Fe and then north again to El Santuario de Chimayo. It was by heavenly design (with all sincerity), bam! a heavenly inspired connection the moment that we met Judy Rose Archuleta and her family. Becky found a younger sister to cherish, love and protect, they bonded instantly. They both loved to pray for others and serve the Lord. There is no stronger bond than theirs for each other, in their faith and family. The Lord works in mysterious ways.

Diana was preceded in death by her parents and her three brothers; and is survived by her husband of 48 yrs, Oscar Alvarado, her children - Christopher Alvarado, Anthony Alvarado, John Palacios, Lisa Fukano (James), Barbara Palacios, Jeri Westin (Danny). Ten grand-kids and eight great-grand kids. Brothers - Andy Flores (Sylvia), Ramsey Muniz (Irma) and Roger Muniz. Sisters - Judy Rose Archuleta (Rod), and Gracie Armadillo. Numerous cousins, aunts and special friends Berta Salinas, Elissa Gagnon, Alexis Zepeda, Hope Villarreal, Rose Saldana,Connie (Serafin) Meskil, Debbie Nixon, Lidia Baker, Antonia Martinez, Luci Guyer and Delfina (Ramon) Tejeda.

We would like to recognize those that touched our lives during her care, Dr. V. Broumand & Amanda Vigil, RN - US Renal staff, Dr. Michael Barnett & Jessica Bjerk, Nurse Practitioner - Patriot Vascular & staff, Dr. Robert Jakubowski - Primary Care & staff, Trini Flores, RN, and Pamela Brackman, RN - Christus Home Health Care & team, and Doris Charles, Care giver at Las Colinas Westover Sea World Nursing & Hospice Care facility, for all their medical team care, compassion, friendship and professionalism during these last 5 yrs and 9 months of dialysis and related care. Special thanks to all the Prayer Warriors especially the Falcon Family.

The family requests Memorial gifts in memory of Diana B. Alvarado to be made to the local regional office of Divine Mercy:

Divine Mercy for America

PO Box 202, Center Point TX 78010

[email protected]