Hortensia Almance
Mamá, the light of our family, Hortensia M. Almance, 85, of Marfa passed into the loving hands of her Lord on Sunday, October 30, 2016 in her home and in the company of her loving husband of 59 years, Apolinar “Papi” after a valiant nine-month battle with cancer.
A public viewing will be held today, Thursday, November 3 at Alpine Memorial Funeral Home, 209 W. Sul Ross Avenue, from 1:30-4:30pm and again on Friday, prior to the her services at St. Mary’s Catholic Church from 8-10am. Services for our beloved mamacita will be held Friday, November 4 at 10am at Saint Mary’s, 211 W. San Antonio Street, Marfa with Father Estevan Sescon officiating.
Mamá was born in El Paso, Texas on November 21, 1930 to Manuel Muñoz and María de Jesús Estrada, both Mexican missionary doctors whose passion was working with indigenous peoples. The second of seven children, mama helped raise her younger siblings. Nena, Kilo, Hito and Dolly considered her their second mother and Mama loved them like her own. Mamas’ caring and compassionate nature made her a perfect fit for nursing and teaching, professions she practiced in Mexico. At the age of 18, she lost her father and immediately set out to California to find work to help her mother provide for her younger siblings. Moving to California was a difficult experience, as she spoke not a bit of English, but one she faced head on with courage and perseverance, as she did all the challenges in her life.
Mamá married the man she fell in love with at first sight, Apolinar V. Almance, her “Papi,” on October 19, 1957 in Ojinaga, Mexico and they were inseparable until the very end. Mamá and Papi had four children to whom she instilled the importance of God, family, honesty and unity. Throughout her life, Mamá exemplified unconditional love and unfaltering support for her children and her “Papi.”
Mamá was happiest when surrounded by her family, she loved all children very much always finding time to play with them and never stopped being an educator constantly integrating education in her interactions with them. Mamá lived in Alpine for several years and cared for several children in her home enjoying keeping them busy by making tortillas, coloring, and singing; another one of her loves. Mamá always made it a point to say “Love you, God bless you” to all she met; strangers who opened the door for her or lifelong friends and family.
Mamá is survived by her devoted husband, Apolinar “Papi”, daughters Jessie Almance-Molinar (Juan Efren), Hortensia “Tencha” A. Aguilar (Luis Felix), Genoveva Graciela “Gracie” Almance, and son Jose Apolinar “Junior” Almance (Edith). Mamá had eight wonderful grandchild who were the light of her eyes; Juan Efren Almance-Molinar (Karelli), Jesus Efren Almance-Molinar (Shelby), Sophia A. Hernandez (Angel), Felicia Aguilar-Lane (Douglas), Luis A. Aguilar (Jordan), Cristobal Estefan A. Salcido, Marcus Roman A. Salcido (Huong) and Erica Graciela Almance. Mamá was blessed with nine great grandchildren; Carlin Anders Molinar, Alyssa Nicole Hernandez, Breeana Lee Hernandez, Jose Angel Hernandez Jr., Luis Antonio Armendariz, Layla Nevaeh Lane, Anika Amerie Aguilar, Ariadne Marie Aguilar and Audrielle Monique Aguilar.
Mamá is also survived by siblings Francisca “Paquita” Flores, Socorro Alicia “Nena” Acosta, Hector Raul “Hito” Munoz, and Dolores Gloria” Dolly” Carlos and numerous godchildren, nieces and nephews.
Mamá, te llevamos en nuestros corazones y pensamientos para siempre. Tu memoria nos mantendrá vivos. Tu cara, tus gestos y amor los vemos en uno y otro. Tu amor y apoyo inquebrantable continúa impulsándonos hacia adelante. Tus expectativas de unidad, honestidad, familia y al amor de Dios son nuestro compás. No te preocupes por tu Papi, vamos a cuidar de él hasta que tú y él se encuentren de nuevo. Todo nuestro amor y gratitud para siempre.
Tu familia que te querra para siempre.
Memorial Funeral Home of Alpine is in charge of arrangements.