Jesusa Cruz

Jesusa Cruz, beloved sister, aunt, cousin and friend was called to her eternal rest on Saturday, Oct. 25, 2014. She died peacefully in her home after a long illness.

Jesusa was a life-long resident of Maxwell. She was a quiet, gentle soul with an eternal twinkle in her eye, a shy smile, and was loved by all of her family and friends. Jesusa was a devout Catholic and prayed t

he rosary every day without fail. Her friends called her “Susie,” while most of her family called Jesusa by the nickname “Chuta.”

She lived most of her life in the same small frame house in Maxwell, Texas, where she was raised. A lifelong condition with epilepsy cut short her education at a very early age because rural schools back then could not accept a child with this handicap and this condition later prohibited her from driving. It was her father and siblings who would later help teach her to read and write at home. Although never formally educated, Jesusa was a masterful storyteller and was our family’s expert religious educator. She regaled her young audiences with tales of “La Caperucita Roja” and “Los Tres Cochinitos” as well as the more serious stories about Our Lady of Fatima and San Martin de Porres. She was talented in handiwork and loved to embroider, to quilt, and was an expert at making homemade cheese which she used to sell to her neighbors. Her hands were never idle for long. If Jesusa knew company was coming over, she would make a fresh pitcher of lemonade or a batch of homemade oatmeal cookies. She always had an ice cream cone, or a treat for children. Jesusa loved to dress up and look as pretty as she could every day. To an outsider, Jesusa’s world may have seemed limited in a way because of the small physical radius it encompassed. But, to the children whom she helped raise years ago, during those long, lazy summer days, before video games and cable television when we all ran though the family acreage in bare feet just being happy to be there, these children would disagree. Jesusa lived her life happily, giving her heart lovingly to her family. This love in her heart was real and infinite, without limits or borders.

Jesusa is preceded in death by her parents, Josefa and Patricio Cruz; brothers: Jose Cruz, Lucio Cruz and Eduardo Cruz; and by her sisters: Lucita, Severiana, Herminia, and Ricarda C. Duran.

She is survived by her steadfast and loving sister Maria Cruz, Vicente Cruz (Dolores), Mercedes Garcia (Juan), and Esteban Cruz (Maria). Jesusa never married or had children of her own, however she leaves behind countless nieces and nephews who will hold treasured memories forever of their “Chuta.”

A rosary was recited on Monday night. Funeral mass was held on Tuesday, Oct. 28 at Immaculate Heart of Mary Catholic Church in Martindale, followed by interment at San Juan Cemetery in Reedville. Pallbearers were Jessie Cruz, John Perez, Jr., John C. Duran, Thomas Garcia, Thomas Cruz, and Eddie Cruz. Funeral arrangements were held under the direction of DeLeon Funeral Home.

Thank you to Bluebonnet Palliative Care personnel: Mary Calderon, Nurse’s Aide and Connie Aguirre, RN both of you are angels here on earth- your work is priceless and our family is eternally grateful for your services; Brittany Bermudez, Mary Navarro from New Hope Health Care for your daily assistance, and Dr. Ronald Peterson for your care and concern.