ELIZABETH LOPEZ CANTU

March 17, 1932 – January 17, 2018

            Elizabeth Lopez Cantu, 85, of Austin, Texas, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, January 17, 2018, from complications of Alzheimer’s disease. She was surrounded by family, who lovingly assisted her into the light. She died as she lived, gracefully and beautifully.

            Elizabeth was born on March 17, 1932, in Campbellton, Texas, to Jesusa Garcia Lopez and Joaquin Lopez. She was the fifth of fifteen children to be born into their deeply affectionate and devoted family. Both of her parents shared an intense pride of family and heritage, which they passed on to their children. Throughout her life Elizabeth would find in her siblings her best friends, who she could count on to most lovingly be there for her to the very end, as they indeed were.

            Elizabeth came into the world a strong, independent child, with striking physical beauty, a keen intellect, a strong creative talent, and a deep love of nature. She moved through life with her gifts on display. Her dazzling smile, warm nature and quick wittedness drew people to her, which coupled with her intense determination, allowed her to find an incredible level of success in life, despite her humble beginnings and too little education.

            Elizabeth married Osiel H. Cantu, of Sinton, Texas, and became the mother of ten children: Eight boys and two girls, as she liked to proudly declare. Though young when she became a mother, Elizabeth parented her children with passion. She fiercely loved her children and grandchildren, which is a legacy that now penetrates her own children’s parenting styles.

            She and her family resided in Sinton for 22 years, at which point the family moved to El Paso, Texas. Then, Elizabeth moved to San Jose, California, after separating from her husband. She lived there for 13 years, raising her youngest children, until the early death of the first of two children she would eventually lose. After that first tragic loss, spurred by grief, she returned to Texas, landing in her hometown of McAllen. Later, in 1993, she moved to Karnes City, Texas, where she joyfully lived until 2014, when her progressing dementia sparked her move to Austin to be closer to her children.

            During her work life she did what she had to for the support of her family, but eventually she found her niche in the world of “picking” and resale during her time in San Jose. Her sharp eye, good fashion sense, and steady ambition allowed her to work for herself, elevate her family’s financial standing, and she was able to create a comfortable life for her children. After her return to Texas, she worked in sales, and later home health. Whatever she did for work, she did it with predictable determination, hard work, creativity, and pride.

            Elizabeth is survived by eight children, who include Osiel Lopez Cantu (Diana), David Charles Cantu, Sylvia Lizabeth Parker, Daniel Edward Cantu (Donna), Thomas Edmund Cantu, Maya Annette DelCanto-Ellington (Byron), Javier Lopez Cantu, and Roel Cantu. She is preceded in death by her two sons, John Terry Cantu and Joaquin Ricardo Cantu.

            Eighteen surviving grandchildren include Jeremias Osiel Cantu, Jahziel Eli Cantu, Joanna Elizabeth Cantu, Jessica Michelle Cantu (Ramiz), Clarissa Lynn Cantu, John Terry Cantu Jr., Jesse Joaquin Parker (Johanna), Joaquin Rafael Del Canto (Anna), Byron Lopez Ellington, Adrianna Cassandra Wellborn (Justin), Cassandra Danielle Cantu (Ben), Antulio Joaquin Cantu, Zyla Katrini Cantu, Roel Cantu Jr., Jaryn Charles Cantu, Sandy Cantu, Rochelle Cantu, and Chloe Cantu. She is preceded in death by her granddaughter, Melaney Lizabeth Parker Rayburn.

            Fifteen surviving great-grandchildren include Danial Osiel Cantu, Joshua James Cantu, Isaiah Amit Jai Shankar, Victoria Leyna Cantu, Micah Osiel Hinn, Samir Ramiz Hinn, Liliana Souraya Hinn, Donald Herrera Garza (Ana), Lorenzo Alexander Garza (Daylena), Stephanie Vanessa Cantu, Amy Sue Peppersack (Micah), Soleil Anya Parker, Corbin Justin Wellborn, Scarlett Sara-Leigh Wellborn, and Kloe Elizabeth Rodriguez. She is preceded in death by her infant great-grandson, Joshua Leo Cantu.

             Five surviving great-great-grandchildren include Israel Donald Garza, Judah John Garza, Lorenzo Alexander Garza Jr., Noah Romeo Garza, and Layla Annabel Garza.

            Surviving siblings include Eugenia Lopez Martinez, Lydia Lopez Franz-Slizza, and Antulio Lopez. She is preceded in death by her siblings Guadalupe Lopez Gonzalez, Jesusa Lopez Benavides-Bryant, Joaquin Lopez Jr., Andrea Lopez Cisneros-Moreno, Clotilde Lopez Vasquez, Socrates Lopez, Antonio Lopez, Amando Lopez, Isabel Lopez Munoz-Palacios, Lucinda Lopez, and Juan Lopez.

            A viewing and celebration of life ceremony is scheduled for Saturday, January 27th, 2018, at Resthaven Funeral Home, 606 S. San Patricio Street, Sinton, Texas 78387. A private viewing for immediate family only will begin at 10:00 am, public viewing to begin at 10:45 am, and service at 11:30 am. A late lunch will be provided at 2:00 pm at The Butter Churn Restaurant, 207 W. Sinton Street, Sinton, Texas 78387.

            Flowers may be sent to Resthaven Funeral Home, or, if preferred, donations may be made in Elizabeth’s name to the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America, 322 Eighth Avenue, 7th Floor, New York, NY 10001, www.alzfdn.org, or to Stonebridge Health Center, 11127 Circle Drive, Austin, Texas 78736.

            Elizabeth’s family wishes to express our most heartfelt gratitude to the caring and devoted staff at Stonebridge Health Center. We are moved beyond words by the love displayed throughout the last eight months of Elizabeth’s life. We are forever thankful.

            “May you find the strength and resolve today, to allow a deeper sense of healing to begin.” – Eleesha

Guestbook available online at www.resthavenfunerals@yahoo.com

Arrangements and care entrusted to Resthaven Funeral Home, Sinton.

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