Dolores “Lola” Cruz April 4, 1922-September 11, 2016 Our beloved mother, grandmother, sister and aunt, Dolores “Lola” Cruz, after courageously battling many illnesses, went to be with our Heavenly Father to receive the ultimate healing of peace in Heaven. She was preceded in death by her parents Lucio and Maria Jacinta (Salazar) Cruz, Sr.; Son, Paul Astran, Jr., great-great grandson, Victor Duque Jr.; Sisters: Blasa Romero, Angela Reyes and Guadalupe Gallardo; Brothers: Manuel Salazar, Lucio Cruz Jr., Victor Cruz Sr., and Pablo Cruz. She is survived by her loving daughter, Alice Esparza; daughter-in-law, Sylvia Astran; brothers: Atanacio Cruz Sr. and Paul Cruz and wife Marcelina; 4 grandchildren: Phillip Gomez, Belinda Astran, Melissa Villalpando and husband Adam & Justin Astran; 11 great-grandchildren: Desi Ray, Linda Rose, Lorriana, Roxanne, Angelica, Joseph, Paul Michael, Christopher, Alicia, Emilee & Adam Ray; 8 great-great grandchildren: Jethro, Ray Lynn, Jala, Johanna, Ely, Ily, Victoria & Aliyah. She was born in San Benito, Texas where she lived a simple but peaceful and happy life. She told many stories of how she and her brothers and sisters explored the outdoors & enjoyed playing with farm animals and the simplest of toys. But they also helped their parents to raise, gather, grow and cook homemade food, sew clothing, wash laundry in tubs outside to hang dry & use a heated iron to press clothing and bedding. Their family also traveled around Texas to pick cotton “las piscas”. She moved to Austin at a young age when she married and took excellent care of her family. When her husband passed, she then cared for her parents and worked at the Driskill Hotel. She had a son, Paul Astran, Jr. who was born prematurely. She went everyday to the hospital until she brought her precious baby home months later. Later she worked for the Frito Lay Co “La Chilería” later to be Riviana Foods., a job she enjoyed and made several lifelong friends. She met Joe Esparza and they had a daughter, Alice Esparza. She worked later at St. Stephens School, the Downtowner Motel and finally at the Driskill Hotel as a housekeeper for 8 w years where she also made dear friends. Her son Paul married her dear daughter-in-law, Sylvia who gave her the most precious gift, her grandchildren. They were her pride and joy and as the family grew and she became a great then great-great grandmother her cup of love spilled over. She enjoyed taking care of her grandchildren and they have fond memories of their time with “Grandma ‘Buela’”. Mostly her care, delicious food and the endless stories she would tell. At 60 yrs. old, she suddenly lost her sight from advanced glaucoma. She had become a single mother and thought it was the most tragic thing to happen. She became depressed and thought her life might be over. Her ophthalmologist, Dr. Sue Ellen Young, helped her realize that she had something to live for, her daughter & family. That reminder was all it took to for her to fight to regain some normalcy to her life. Her faith in God renewed, she learned to cook, clean and maintain a household again as best she could. Ask anyone who knew her, she was the most giving & generous person. She was the best cook ever and made the most delicious food especially her frijoles y arroz, tortillas, carne guisada, caldo, menudo and (hands down) tamales. You couldn’t leave her house without something to eat or food to take with you. She never liked to visit anyone empty handed and always brought a gift of food or something else. She would give generously and always put others before herself even if she had little to give. She dearly loved her brothers, sisters, brother’s in law and sister’s in law and always was calling them just to see how they were and that she was praying for them. They loved her as well and after she lost her sight, those that were able helped and supported her and Alice in all manner of ways. Heartfelt thanks and appreciation goes especially to Blasa, Gela, Lupe, Paul & Lena, Victor & Julia. What always made the most impression on her family and those who knew her was her love and faith in her Heavenly Father. She prayed for the whole world morning and night every day. That love, that light of Jesus burning inside of her shone on all those around her. She would remind everyone to love, forgive and help each other, be respectful, go to church, work hard, give your offering and always obey & honor God. As she grew older, became frail and then more and more ill. She slowed down but her spirit remained strong and still that light shined. She had dementia, cancer, a stroke (last year) and was no longer mobile and several other illnesses but still fought to do what she could which was pray and shower her love and that light continued to shine. On Sun Sept 11, she opened her one good eye for the last time. A light reflected from her eye, her daughter, Alice knew that it was the light of Heaven opening to take her home. Alice said, “Mom, you see the light don’t you? Go mom, God is waiting for you. The angels & Jesus are here to take you to Heaven. Go mom, so you can finally rest in peace and suffer no more.” Lola smiled and took one last breath and her light on Earth was gone to shine even brighter in Heaven. That light is the legacy of love she leaves behind for us to carry on. Daughter, Alice would like to deeply thank the following people who helped support her and take such excellent and loving care of Lola in her last years, especially under Hospice care: her brother & sister-in-law, Paul & Lena Cruz, granddaughter Melissa Villalpando and her “Angels on Earth”: daughter-in-law, Sylvia Astran & granddaughter, Belinda Astran. Special and heartfelt thanks to Dr. Jose R. Garcia, Edwards Home Health & Hospice team particularly: Odelia DiPaolo, Edward Marroquin, Ann White, Jesse Calder, Chaplain, Susan McQueen, Martha Gutierrez & Irene Villatoro; Gregoria Flores, St. Davids Hospital: Dr Pothala & the 5th floor Nursing Staff & Techs. Also, special thanks to Emmanuel United Methodist Church, Rev. Ella Leal Luna, Rev. Joel Salas, Amy Phillips, family and friends who kept us in prayer, came to visit, brought food, called, sent cards & gifts and mowed the lawn. Rev. Jayaraju from St. Mary’s Catholic Church & Deacon Ralph from St. Julia Church. Linda Osoria, Toni H. Holder, Sergio Ramirez & David Ancira for helping with the Prayer and Memorial Services and all who are helping prepare the meal for family & friends. May God bless you all and grant you His peace. Visitation will begin at 5:00 p.m., Thursday, September 15, 2016 with Recitation of Holy Rosary held at 7:00 p.m., Mission Funeral Home, 1615 E. Cesar Chavez St., Austin, Texas. Christian Burial will be at 10:00 a.m. Friday, September 16, 2016, Assumption Cemetery, Austin, Texas. Please visit www.missionmemorials.com to offer condolences and to send flowers.