Norma Mendoza Silva entered into eternal rest on November 7, 2017 with her loving family by her side after a 3-year battle with cancer. Momita, as she was affectionately known by those closest to her, was born in Brownsville, Texas on January 29, 1946.
Norma, a respected professional nurse in the community, had an insatiable drive to continuously learn as she earned multiple degrees in higher education between the years of 1964 – 2004. Norma expanded her career by establishing several home health agencies. Her passion for education was most evident in her 25 plus year career as a tenured faculty and clinical professor with the Rio Grande Valley U.T. System where she taught and mentored thousands of nursing students. Norma is preceded in death by her parents, Santiago and Angelita Mendoza, her brother Jose Alberto Saenz, her grand-niece Rebecca Solis, and her dear friend, Joe Lacher. Norma selflessly fulfilled the role of the matriarch in her family. Left to cherish her legacy is her beloved son, Cris (Diana) Ortiz, Jr. “Bambiâ€; grandchildren, Amy Lee Pena (Joey), Anastacia Ortiz (Nick), Cris Ortiz III, Vicente Ortiz (America); Great Grandchildren, Noah, Sophia, Benjamin, Jacob, Leia, and Serafina; her siblings Ofelia Sosa, Santiago “Jimmy†Mendoza, Alfonso Xavier Mendoza, Rosa Harding, Ricardo Mendoza, Isabel Mendoza, Francis Martinez, Olga Saenz, and Sandra Saenz; and numerous nieces, nephews, and extended family members.
Visitation will be from 12:00 noon to 5:00 p.m. on Thursday, November 9, 2017 at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home followed by a Celebration of Life Service at Livingway Family Church from 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. Doors open at 6:00 p.m. Chapel services will be held at Sunset Memorial Funeral Home on Friday, November 10, 2017 at 10:30 a.m. followed by burial at Rose Lawn Memorial Gardens. (956) 350-8485
5 Comments
Betsy FreethPostedNovember 8, 20176:39 pm
My sincere condolences go to Norma’s family and friends. She and I worked together at UTB-TSC for over 16 years. She was always a great colleague and friend. Brownsville and the nursing profession has lost a tireless educator. She will be missed.
Carolina HuertaPostedNovember 8, 201711:43 pm
I am very sorry over the loss of Norma. I had the pleasure of working with her at UTRGV. she was a wonderful person and a most professional nurse. I saw her in September when she attended our new students’ White Coat Ceremony. She looked absolutely beautiful and was so radiant. She will be missed.
Leo GarzaPostedNovember 9, 20179:56 am
My condolences to you and your family. I can recall how your mom was such a nice and caring person, back when we were hanging out. God bless you and your family.
Leo Garza
Anne RentfroPostedNovember 9, 20177:38 pm
My condolences to Norma’s family. Norma will be remembered by many for her dedication to nursing and to her students. We worked together as colleagues for many years from out time at the old Valley Regional Medical Center in the 1980s where she was Director of the Emergency Department and then again when she joined the faculty at University of Texas. I will miss her greatly and cannot imagine how much she will be missed by her closest friends and family.
ARNOLD AND ELIDA SALINASSPostedNovember 10, 201711:38 am
Our Condolences for the loss of your beloved Norma . May she rest in peace in the Glory of the Kingdom of our Lord God.
5 Comments
My sincere condolences go to Norma’s family and friends. She and I worked together at UTB-TSC for over 16 years. She was always a great colleague and friend. Brownsville and the nursing profession has lost a tireless educator. She will be missed.
I am very sorry over the loss of Norma. I had the pleasure of working with her at UTRGV. she was a wonderful person and a most professional nurse. I saw her in September when she attended our new students’ White Coat Ceremony. She looked absolutely beautiful and was so radiant. She will be missed.
My condolences to you and your family. I can recall how your mom was such a nice and caring person, back when we were hanging out. God bless you and your family.
Leo Garza
My condolences to Norma’s family. Norma will be remembered by many for her dedication to nursing and to her students. We worked together as colleagues for many years from out time at the old Valley Regional Medical Center in the 1980s where she was Director of the Emergency Department and then again when she joined the faculty at University of Texas. I will miss her greatly and cannot imagine how much she will be missed by her closest friends and family.
Our Condolences for the loss of your beloved Norma . May she rest in peace in the Glory of the Kingdom of our Lord God.
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