Dolores Elena Rivera Garcia

​     Dolores Elena Rivera Garcia went to be with our Lord and Savior on Tuesday, March 24, 2026. Dolores, also known as Nena, was born on November 12, 1932, in Alice, Texas to Frank S. Rivera and Elida Benavides. As a young girl, Dolores began her religious education at St. Francis de Paula Catholic School in San Diego, Texas. She and her brother, Frank, stayed with the Uresti family as boarders to attend school during the week until St. Joseph Catholic School opened in Alice, Texas. She then attended Alice High School her freshman and sophomore years and enrolled at Our Lady of the Lake High School in San Antonio. After graduation she married her one and only, Daniel U. Garcia, Jr., on June 4, 1950, at age 17. Dolores became a devoted wife and mother. Her first child, Daniel III, was born on March 23, 1951, and by 1964 her family was complete with the addition of six daughters. A second son, Gerardo, born in 1961, did not live and was laid to rest in the San Diego Cemetery.
     Dolores was a parishioner of St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church and taught religious education. She was a past member of the Catholic Daughters of America and prayed her rosary faithfully. She enjoyed singing in the church choir with her husband, Daniel, and fellow members.
     By the age of 40, Dolores decided to get a college education at Texas A & I University in Kingsville, Texas and graduated with a degree in education. She taught Early Childhood Education for students with special needs at Nayer Elementary in Alice, Texas for about 20 years.
     To her children, Dolores, was a strict disciplinarian and became their friend when they became adults. She was an avid reader and when on vacation with the family, knew about many interesting sights to see and experience. At OLL she learned voice, piano, and homemaking etiquette as part of the curriculum. She enjoyed classical music, opera, theatre, photography, historical art and gardening. She cooked very good meals and collected recipe books.
     Dolores is preceded in death by her parents, husband, son Gerardo, Aunt Ernestina T. Stein, Uncle Robert Stein, brother Frank Jr., niece Angelina Rivera, and sister-in-law, Sylvia Gonzalez Rodriguez.
     She is survived by 2 nephews Frank III and Javier Rivera, 1 niece Celina Simcox, 7 children Daniel U. Garcia, III of Alice, Texas, Yolanda I. (Rene) Garcia of Corpus Christi, Texas, Evangelina “Vangie” (Noe) Gonzalez of San Diego, Texas, Elena Garcia Salaiz of Edinburg, Texas, Raquel Garcia of Edinburg, Texas, Veronica (Dr. Rene) Vela of Corpus Christi, Texas, and Dolores “Lola” (Daniel) Rios of McAllen, Texas, 17 grandchildren, 32 great grandchildren, a cousin, and many nieces and nephews.
      Dolores enjoyed life to the fullest and loved telling stories to everyone whom asked about her family history. She was a loving and supporting daughter, wife, mother, sister, teacher, and friend. We will miss her dearly. ❤️
 
Visitation will begin at 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, April 1, 2026, at Mauro P. Garcia Funeral Home- San Diego with A Rosary to be recited at 10:00 a.m. and a Funeral Mass to be celebrated at 11:30 am at St. Francis de Paula Catholic Church. Burial will follow at the San Diego Cemetery.