Gloria C. Arriaga

Gloria Cantu Arriaga, age 67, retired Executive Director at Alamo Area Council of Governments (AACOG) passed away peacefully in her home, surrounded by her loving husband and family, on Tuesday, July 31st, 2018.

She was a woman of humble beginnings but rose to become one of the first Hispanic women overseeing a major government agency, AACOG opening the pathway for professional women seeking higher positions.

Gloria was born September 25, 1950 to Eugenio and Irene Cantu in Monterrey, Mexico, a city she valued due to her family heritage. Gloria was the second oldest out of six beloved Cantu children Robert, Cesar, Alma, Maria and Carlos. She was a devoted daughter and sister and instrumental in raising her siblings making sure they were cared for and loved while Eugenio and Irene provided for their family. Gloria and her family eventually moved to Los Angeles, California in 1955. In 1968, Gloria graduated with honors from St. Mary’s Catholic High School in Los Angeles. Her dedication to her studies earned her a 4-year scholarship to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Her parents decided to move to San Antonio in 1969 to create a new beginning for their family. Gloria was unselfish in life and honored her parents’ wishes, but in doing so had to give up her scholarship and dream of attending UCLA. In January 1969 Gloria’s family settled in San Antonio, Texas, the city which would become her permanent hometown and the center of her life.

In March of 1976, while attending the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA), Gloria met the love of her life, Douglas Arriaga. They continued to date over the next two years. On April 15th, 1978, Gloria was united in holy matrimony to Douglas at Saint Margaret’s Catholic Church in San Antonio, Texas. Douglas and Gloria remained faithful husband and wife and just recently celebrated their 40th year anniversary amongst family and friends. They are life time companions and will forever be each other’s soulmate.

Douglas and Gloria were blessed with two beautiful daughters, Antoinette and Victoria Arriaga. Antoinette was born on October 31st, 1979 and Victoria was born five years later on August 15th, 1984. Gloria was devoted to her two daughters and always encouraged their participation in scholastic and sporting events never turning down an opportunity to volunteer or praise their accomplishments. Through the years, their relationship grew and flourished into something more than just mother/daughter but into best friends. Gloria’s character and attributes, including her beautiful smile and contagious laughter, will live through her daughters and carry on to her grandchildren.

Gloria began work as a secretary with AACOG in 1971. In the early 80’s, she was promoted to Executive Secretary. Throughout her career and while caring for her family Gloria took night classes at UTSA and Trinity University to further advance her education. Gloria graduated from the University of Texas San Antonio (UTSA) with a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 1982. In 1985, Gloria was awarded Secretary of the Year by the Anacacho chapter of Professional Secretaries International. Gloria graduated from Leadership San Antonio in 1992. In 1993, she graduated from Trinity University with a Master’s degree in Urban Economics. Over the years and through hard work and dedication, Gloria progressed through numerous positions at AACOG, such as Executive Secretary, Human Resources Manager, Director, Deputy Director, and finally attained the position of Executive Director of AACOG in 2007. As Executive Director she managed various departments including Administration, the Area Agencies on Aging, the Bexar Mental Retardation Authority, Housing, HIV Administrative Services and Workforce. In 2011 she was awarded a Lifetime Achievement Award from AACOG for 40 years of dedicated public service. Gloria retired from AACOG that same year for health reasons.

Gloria's civic involvement included her chairmanship of the San Antonio/Bexar County Committee on Aging, a leader of the Urban Management Association of South Texas, the TARC Executive Directors Committee, and Bexar County Civil Services committee.

While Gloria made strong advancements in her career she always made time to enjoy life to the fullest. Gloria was an avid fan of the San Antonio Spurs and has been a season ticket holder for over 20 years. She attended every home game possible never missing an opportunity to cheer loudly for her home team. Her love for the game was infectious to the people around her and she became a well-known face at each and every game. In addition to the Spurs organization she also had many hobbies which included the Book Club with some of her closest friends, crocheting blankets and scarves for loved ones, cooking, baking her infamous rum cakes, and traveling with family and friends creating lifelong memories. She never missed a single birthday, anniversary, or holiday. She took pride in organizing these events especially the Annual Christmas Cookie Swap.

She believed in family, community, and charity. She gave to many organizations including Goodwill, the San Antonio Foodbank and the Archdiocese Catholic Organization to name a few. Always a devout Catholic she attended Mass weekly at St. John’s the Evangelist Catholic Church for 26 years, where she served as a Lector and Eucharistic Minister. Throughout retirement she continued to devote her time to many organizations. Gloria was a member of the City/County Joint Commission on Elderly Affairs, she was a member of the Alzheimer’s Association; the San Antonio Book Club; the Olmos Park City Council (where she helped approve the addition of the bike lane on McCullough Avenue), and the Women’s Olmos Park Luncheon.

Gloria will always be remembered as a beloved daughter, sister, wife, mother and grandmother.

Gloria is survived by her loving husband, Douglas Arriaga; her daughters Antoinette McCune and husband Jacob and Victoria Downing and husband Christopher; her grandchildren Annalise, Alexander, Abigail and Aurelia; her siblings Alma Maldonado husband Ben, Maria Cantu, and Carlos Cantu and wife Sandi; along with numerous nieces and nephews.

Memorial contributions may be made to the charity of one’s choice.

Family, friends and those whose lives were touched by Gloria are invited to attend the funeral services honoring Gloria Arriaga:

FUNERIA DEL ANGEL ROY AKERS

515 N. Main Ave., San Antonio, TX 78205

Viewing starting at 5 p.m.

Rosary starting at 7 p.m.

August 6, 2018.

Funeral services the following day:

ST. JOHN’S CATHOLIC CHURCH

102 S. Audubon Dr., San Antonio, TX 78212

Funeral starting at 10 a.m.

Proceeded by burial at:

SAN FERNANDO CEMETERY #2

746 Castroville Rd., San Antonio, TX 78237

Concluding wake:

Arriaga’s residence

August 7, 2018

In the parting words of Gloria Arriaga…

“Bye Felicia!”