Minerva Solis de Pacheco 92, of Rancho Viejo, went to be with our Lord, on July 30, 2017, 4 weeks shy of her 93rd birthday, in her home, surrounded by loving family. She was born in Brownsville, Texas on August 28, 1924. She was preceded in death by her daughter Ninfa Middleton, husband Cesar Pacheco Sr., her sisters Gloria Montemayor, Lourdes Solis and two brothers, Dr. Santiago Solis and Roberto Solis. She is survived by one brother, Hector Solis and six children, Cesar (Roberta) Pacheco, Patricia Pacheco (Ray+), Letty (Johnny) Olvera, Laura (Carlos) McDermott, Melissa Garcia and Norma (Greg) O’Neil and son-in-law Paul Middleton. She held a very special place in her heart for her sixteen grandchildren and six great- grandchildren who affectionally called her Tita. Many others considered her their second mom and often referred to her as Mama Pacheco or simply Tia Mine.
Minerva valued her close relationships with people of all ages and walks of life. Her friends were many yet she never met a stranger. Minerva had a cheerful heart, a radiant smile, a great sense of humor and a twinkle in her eye that lit up the world of all whom she met. She always had a humorous story, a word of advice and a loving embrace.
Minerva was a passionate benefactor for those in need. Her generosity and giving heart touched the lives of many, providing them with clothing, food and an education. She believed that this was her Christian and civic duty, receiving much joy from doing just that. She was always giving because she trusted that God would always provide for her, which He did.
Minerva graduated from Brownsville High School class of 1940 at the age of 15. After graduating, her family moved to Matamoros, where her father owned a General Store. Subsequently, she and her sister Gloria moved to Monterrey to attend a Catholic College where she received secretarial training. Upon graduation from college, she worked for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Cotton Boll Weevil Eradication Program. There she learned about the basics of crop diseases and pests. Only God knew that this knowledge would be the educational foundation for what she would later use to support, educate and raise seven children.
In 1951, Minerva married Cesar Pacheco, a farmer-rancher from a pioneer family of Brownsville. After 15 years of marriage and seven children, she became a widow at the age of 42. Upon his death July 25, 1966, she was left with a crop to harvest in Matamoros. She used her previous agricultural knowledge to become a very well-known female farmer and was often considered as the “Emancipator of Women Farmers.” She went on to become one of the founders of the Farmers Association of Matamoros, La Asociacion Agricola.
Minerva was a wonderful and loving mom. One of her greatest accomplishments, in which she took much pleasure in, was that of raising her seven children, providing each of them with a Catholic education and a college degree. She was always present and actively involved in her their lives, welcoming every one of their friends into her home as if they were one of her own.
She inspired and motived many. She was known to be frank, honest and sincere, and people who knew her well, respected that. Regardless of what she said, it came from her heart. Her strong faith in God, love and devotion to her family, her joyous spirit and her giving heart left all who knew her, better for it. She was so dearly loved and will be greatly missed by so many.
The family extends their heartfelt appreciation to the many friends and family who extended their affection for her during her lifetime. A special thanks to her devoted caregivers and to the kind and special friends from the Gentiva/Kindred Hospice Care.
Visitations will be held on Monday, July 31, from 12:00 to 6:00p.m. at Sunset Funeral Home, located at 657 Springmart Blvd., Brownsville, Texas. Rosary service will follow at 7:00 pm. Funeral Mass will be held on Tues, August 1, at 10:00 a.m. at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Brownsville, with burial immediately following at Buena Vista Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial may be made to for her favorite charities; Sisters of the Incarnate Word, 244 Resaca Blvd, Brownsville, Texas 78520, Ciudad de los Niño’s Orphanage in Matamoros, Tamp., c/o Dr. John Shin sky, 12619 Paradise Dr., DeWitt, MI 48820, and Our Heavenly Father Catholic Church, 9178 Tomas Cortez, Olmito, Texas, 78575.
9 Comments
Dear Laura,
Our condolences are with you and your family in the death of your beloved mother.
Cynthia &Tony Garcia
Alice, Texas
Our condolences to all the members of the family. My mother Berta Solis Von Hatten and Minerva were cousins and was always introduced as my aunt. May God Bless you and may she rest in peace.
Melisa, I extend my deepest sympathies to you and your family. May the soul of your mother be at peace with our Heavenly Father. I will always cherish her humor and stories. Love you, Patty
May the soul of your mother be at peace with our Heavenly Father. Her wonderful stories & unique humor I will always cherish.
Indeed Mrs. Pacheco was a wonderful woman who always had a kind word for me and my children. She always had a valued opinion and a personality that came across as honest, sincere and trustworthy. She will be missed. God bless all who knew her and were touched by her kindness.
My deepest sympathy to Paty and the entire family.
I remember Mrs. P. giving me rides home from school in the Pacheco station wagon, along with the Pacheco kids. Thanks for all those lifts Mrs. P. I know you’re going straight to heaven. God bless You!
Our deepest sympathy to the Pacheco family. We were Minerva’s neighbors when we lived on W. Levee St. from 1969 to 1973. She was a wonderful woman and neighbor.
Que el Senor la tenga en Su gloria! God bless you
Lilia Z. Ruiz
Mrs. Pacheco was indeed a generous soul and taught me that you can achieve anything if you set your mind to it. I have wonderful memories filled with laughter with the Pacheco family at their Levee street home and at their Matamoros farm where we were all welcome. My heartfelt sympathy to Patti, Lety, Laura, Cesar, Melly and Norma.
Estimada familia Solis de Pacheco. Lamento escuchar de la muerte de su ser querido. La muerte causa mucha tristeza, lagrimas y es dificil de soportar. La Biblia nos dice que Jesus mismo “cedio a las lagrimas” cuando su amigo Lazaro murio. El mensaje de la Biblia nos trae alivio en esos momentos angustiosos. En 2 Corintios 1:3 se refiere a nuestro padre celestial como “el Dios de todo Consuelo”. Nos Consuela saber que segun Revelacion 21:4, la muerte y el sufrimiento terminara. Ademas, segun la Biblia, en Juan 5:28,29 nos promete una resurreccion.. Espero que estos textos biblicos les de una esperanza y los consuele.
Comments are closed.