Obituary of Teresa R. Saldaña

Teresa Ramirez Saldaña, devoted wife, mother, and grandmother passed away on Thursday, May 20, 2021, at the age of 89. 

Teresa was born in Austin on October 20, 1931, to Manuel and Juanita Ramirez. Teresa met her husband, Paul, in 1948 while working as farmers and they were married in 1952 until his passing in 1987. Faced with financial struggles in her upbringing, it was her goal that her family never face the hardships she once did as a child. Teresa believed that hard work, determination, and a strong family unit was the key to a successful life. Together as entrepreneurs rooted in east Austin, Teresa, and her husband opened several businesses together including Saldaña-Ramirez Builders in 1968 and the Texas Café, a staple in the community, in 1972. Teresa dedicated a large part of her life to serving others and being a faithful member of her neighborhood catholic church, St. Julia. Through her volunteer work at her congregation serving meals, with family, and at her cafe, she became known for her famous enchiladas and tamales. Teresa was a highly respected and admired member of the East Austin community. In 2007, the community thanked Teresa for her work by dedicating a street in her honor inside the Govalle neighborhood named Paul Teresa Saldaña Street. 

She is survived by her children of Austin, Manuel “Buddy” (Bennie) Saldaña, Vera (Bruno) Garcia, Theresa (Robert)Cisneros, Marie (Mario) Rocha, her sisters, Isidria Torres of Austin, Janie Ramos of California, her sister-in-laws Susanna Ramirez and Manuela Ramirez both of Austin, her brother-in-law Lupe Perez of Hutto, her 15 grandchildren, and her 15 great-grandchildren. 

She was preceded in death by her loving husband, Paul, her parents, and her siblings Pauline Aguilar, Lupe Ramirez, Hilaria Figueroa, Mary Tienda, Manuel A. Ramirez, and Antonia Perez. 

Pallbearers will be Paul Saldaña, Sean Saldaña, Charlie Saldaña, Bruno Garcia, Jonathan Rocha, and Zeke Cisneros.

Visitation will be held on Sunday, May 23 starting from 6:30-9:00 p.m., a rosary service to follow at 7:30 p.m. at St. Julia Catholic Church, 900 Tillery Street. Mass will be held on Monday, May 24, 2021, at St. Julia Catholic Church at 11:00 a.m. Burial service will immediately follow at Assumption Cemetery.  The church will open at 10:00 a.m. for visitation prior to Mass.