Concepcion Zaragoza Rios

Ms. Concepcion, “Conchita” Zaragoza passed away on her lifelong journey to the kingdom of Heaven on December 19, 2010. A longtime resident of Laredo, she died at the age of 83 years after a courageous battle with cancer. At the time of her calling she was surrounded by her loving children and their spouses; daughters Teresa and Ruben Martinez; Blanca Zaragoza Figueroa and Luis Figueroa; and son, Federico and Laura Zaragoza. The Matriarch of the family, Concepcion was a woman of extraordinary faith with a passion for family and God. Born in Chicago, Illinois on May 1, 1927, she returned to Mexico City while still a baby. While in Mexico, Conchita would become a legal secretary for a top labor organization in Mexico City. She had exceptional secretary skills including short hand, transcription, and typing well over 100 WPM. But she had a knack for business so she would later own and operated a successful restaurant in Mexico City for several years until a divorce forced her to leave Mexico City.She arrived in Laredo Texas in her early twenties with little money and no knowledge of the English language. She recalled praying herself to sleep every night wondering how she would survive in the United States. Her first job was as a waitress. She worked twelve hours per day, six days per week, for $20 plus tips. By saving “every penny, she soon saved enough money to buy a small bar (Conchita’s Bar) that was an icon in Laredo for many years. An astute business woman with an incredible work ethic, she later diversified her investments to include several rental properties. After retiring some twenty years ago, Conchita enjoyed many wonderful years of health and life. She especially enjoyed family gathering where she would entertain with her beautiful singing voice and charismatic personality. She was one of those individuals that could light up a room with her presence. Her rendition of Amor Eterno and El Rey were always crowd favorites. Conchita also enjoyed traveling with her family. Amongst her most notable family trips was a cruise to Playa del Carmen, visits to Orlando, Mexico City, Las Vegas, Chicago, and Milwaukee. But her most amazing experience was a trip to Rome, Italy where she was seated within five feet, and received blessings, from Pope Benedict.Preceded in death by her mother and father Salud Rios and Jose Zaragoza; her sisters Maria Zaragoza de Lopez Paredes and Maria Oliva Zaragoza de Gutierrez. In addition to her Children and their spouses; Concepcion is survived by her sisters and brothers: Rosa Maria Garcia Lugo (Esteban) from Mexico City, Angelina Garcia Valdez (Homero), Jesus Garcia (Maria), Ramon Garcia (Maria); Cousins Ignacio Zaragoza, Jose Zaragoza; Grandsons: Jose Luis Rodriguez Jr., Carlos Rodriguez, Daniel Rodriguez; Gerardo Moore Jr., Veronica Moore, Teresa Zaragoza, and Federico Zaragoza Jr.; Great Grand Children; Nichole Elizabeth Lopez, Federico Ryan Zaragoza, Isaiah Rodriguez, Dylan Rodriguez, Mykel Rodriguez, Jude Rodriguez, Megan Rodriguez, and Jose Luis Rodriguez III; Great Great Grand Child; Zachary Rodriguez. She is also survived by many God Children.Funeral Services will be held at Fred Dickey Funeral and Cremation Services, 4502 Thomas Ave, 78041, Laredo Texas. Rosary and Viewing will be on Wednesday December 22, 2010 from 5:30 PM to 8:00 PM. Funeral & Mass at San Luis Rey Church at 8:30 AM on Thursday December 23, 2010. Concepcion’s grandsons will be the pallbearers and the readings will be by her granddaughters. Pallbearers are Jose Luis Rodriguez Jr., Carlos Rodriguez, Daniel Rodriguez; Gerardo Moore Jr., Federico Zaragoza Jr.; and Jose Luis Rodriguez III.