On May 16, 2020, our heavenly Father called our beloved mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, Elia Fuentes home to rest in His loving embrace, after a lengthy illness. Elia was 84 years old and a lifelong resident of Laredo.
Elia was a 1955 Martin High School graduate, and then worked for Mercy Hospital as an LVN in the Nursery Department until her retirement where she took great pride in her work, especially holding and welcoming so many of Laredo’s newborn babies into this world for over 35 years.
Our mother Elia is preceded in death by her parents Pedro and Nicolasa Martinez, sisters Dora Garcia, Lilia Lopez, and brother Olegario Martinez. Elia is survived by two sisters Estela Luna, and Irma Martinez.
Elia is also survived by her husband of 62 years, Armando Fuentes. Two sons Armando (Victoria) and Adrian, two daughters Diana (Antonio) Aguilar, and Cynthia Sanchez. Her pride and joy are her 10 grandchildren Andrew and Nick Fuentes, Angie Lazo, George Aguilar, Juan Antonio Aguilar, Melissa Aguilar, Ricardo Becerra, Alan Sanchez, Angelo, and Alessandro Arriaga, and 4 great grandchildren Caleb Fuentes, Mia Aguilar, Tristan Lazo, Kaylee Lazo, and Ryan Lazo.
Her background in nursing made her fully aware and grateful for our health care worker’s dedication to the medical field, and the compassion that they have for their patients. Our family wishes to express our most sincere gratitude to the doctors who cared for her, and especially the nurses.
A devout Catholic, she loved the “Serenity Prayer” and considered Padre Pio her patron saint. Grandma “Sunshine” will be greatly missed, especially during our Christmas celebrations. “If we live, we live for the LORD; and if we die, we die for the LORD. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the LORD”. Romans 14:8
Services are pending.
Pallbearers will be Andrew Fuentes, Nick Fuentes, Alan Sanchez, Angelo Arriaga, George Aguilar, Juan Antonio Aguilar.
Honorary pallbearers: Alessandro Arriaga, and Ricardo Becerra.
Funeral arrangements are by Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services, 1320 Trey Dr., Laredo, Texas 78041 (956) 723-3611. For your convenience, you may sign the guest book or leave your condolences to the family online at www.freddickey.com
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services.
My heart is filled with sadness at the death of my Tia Elia, whom I am grateful to have gotten to know better in the past 10 years. She was there when my mother died, and I am heartbroken that I could not be there for her service. I am grateful Fred Dickey FH coordinated online services to pay my respects and pray the rosary for my tia. I pray for blessings on her family and hope that their sorrow will lessen with time.
Mando, Cythithia, Diana and Adrian - My condolences to all of you. Very sorry for your loss. God bless you and will have you all in my prayers.
To the Fuentes family, we have you in our thoughts and prayers during this difficult time. We had the greatest privilege meeting Mrs. Fuentes and having the honor to have her in our lives. She was truly an inspiration and we are grateful for the beautiful memories of the time we spent with her. All of us have a special place in our hearts for Mrs. Fuentes. God bless you! Love, Ray, Rita, Lauren, and Ryan Garner.
With heartfelt sympathy on the passing of Tia Elia. May the love, prayers and support of your family and friends bring you comfort during this most difficult time - Love, Alex Sanchez and Family
Rest in Peace! Enjoyed those years we worked in Pediatrics at the Old Mercy hospital. Wonderful and caring nurse!
My most deepest condolences to the family. She will be greatly miss
Dear Mando, Cindy and family, our deepest condolences and prayers for all the family. May our Lord bless you daily with strength and peace. Love, Tia Leonor Castillo, Olga Villarreal and family
Dear Mando, Cindy, and all the family our deepest condolence on the passing of Elia. May God bless you all daily with peace and strength. Love Tia Leonor Castillo, Olga Villarreal and family
From the deepest part of my heart, it's hard to say bye to a beautiful human being, who saw and nurtured us. We will miss her, but our love still remains in our hearts. Love Juan.g.gomez and family.
Our deepest condolences, primo, She was a beautiful lady, with such a bright, always happy smile. From Pedro M. Fuentes Sr.
Our sincerest condolences upon the loss of your beloved wife and mother/grandmother. We knew her as a very happy, loving, friendly and kind person. May she Rest In Peace.
I had the honor of meeting and working with Mrs. Fuentes 27 years ago. She was such a blessing and she taught me so much. To this day, I still use here famous capirotada recipe. My most sincere condolences to all her family and friends. She will be dearly missed.
Fuentes family; my deepest condolences during this time. Elia will be missed and will be in our prayers. A devoted wife,mother, and nurse. I still remember good memories at the old Mercy Hospital. May you rest in peace Elia. Your extended nursing family from Mercy Hospital.Until we see each other again.
I will always have a most special place in my heart for Ms. Fuentes. I was a single mom of 5 kids, working 3-11 in the nursery as a CNA while going to school to become an RN. She was so kind and sweet to me. She was a wonderful nurse with our most precious patients. She would bring extra lunch for me and taught me so much of her vast knowledge she had gained working at Mercy since the year I was born there!! She was a very special lady who I had not seen since 1990 but I think of when remembering significant people in my life. My condolences to her family who she loved so much. God bless you all. I was blessed to know her and receive the gift of knowledge she shared. ❤
John 14: 1-3, “Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. 2 My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? 3 And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am. The Memories I will treasure always, until we see you again, rest well in the comfort of our Lord's Love. There is a Fuentes Family in California that will always love you Tia. Today we celebrate; we celebrate the time we had with you, and the time coming to be with you again. Keep smiling.
Deepest Condolences to one of our favorite patients. We're so sadden by her departure. I'll always remember her fondly walking into the Dr. office (Huang) and saying "Como estas Janita"? Mr. Armando and the rest of the family are in our prayers.
In memory of Elia Fuentes, Kimberly Banda lit a candle
In loving memory of my Tia Elia Fuentes rest in peace my deepest condolence to the Fuentes family
sorry for you loss. our hearts go out to your family.
Fuentes Family, Our thoughts and prayers are with you in this difficult time, may God give you serenity and strength and may your beautiful memories bring comfort to you. God Bless you All,,, Reynaldo Garza
I will miss you Tia Elia and know that I looked up to you with your strong will and determined spirit. I have many memories of growing up with you, Tio Mando and my cousins, Cindy, Chico, Adrian and Diana. I feel so blessed for having all of you in my life. Love you so much.
John 14:1-3 "Do not let your hearts be troubled. You believe in God; believe also in me. My Father's house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you? I will come back and take you to be with me that you also may be where I am." God Bless you Tia, for the love that you shared with me, to share with my Family. I will treasure the memories always, and as Jesus has prepared a room for you, may you wait patiently for the rest of us, to one day, be together again. There is a Fuentes Family in California, that does not grieve, but we celebrate, we celebrate the time and love we shared, and anticipate the same love, when our Lord takes us all. Until then, enjoy your time of peace, comfort and salvation. Love you always, Robbie Fuentes & Family
Our deepest condolences to the Fuentes family. Tia Elia will always be in our hearts. We will miss her smile and her kindness. We know she is up there with Lili, Ole, and Dora smiling down on us.
I always enjoyed our talks on the phone, she gave me a lot of hope and love, will miss you Tia ELia love you alwarys, selma
To this beautiful & Kind Mother of whom I had the priveldge of meeting through her amazing daughter whom I am humble to call my Friend Cynthia (Cindy) this are very hard times and there are no words to express how much sadness this is causing you and your family. I Pray to our Heavenly Father to grant you and your Family the serenity to accept his will and to know that you have a beautiful Angel watching over you. In prayers I remain for your entire family.
Our deepest condolences for the loss of such a beautiful person. In the few meetings that I had the privilege of having with Mrs. Fuentes was cheerful, happiness and endearing. Praying for great strength for the family. Mario and Rita Flores
To the family of Elia Fuentes. Please accept my condolences for your irreparable loss. May you can find comfort in God's promise about the future resurection recorded at John 11:24-26
In memory of Elia Fuentes, Frank/Lupita Fuentes lit a candle
Our condolences to our brother and family on the passing of our beloved Elia. Her family was her life, and the love she gave to each one of us was so special. We will miss her dearly. Taking pictures was her passion, therefore she left us with so many memories that we will treasure forever. God bless us all and give us the comfort during this difficult time we are living in. We believe, that through our faith in Christ, we will see her again.
Ms. Sanchez, I am sorry for your loss. My condolences to you and your family. I will keep your family in my prayers.
I lived across the street from Mr. and Mrs. Fuentes for over a decade. Occasionally, my parents and I were invited over to share many great laughs. I have nothing but wonderful memories of Mrs. Fuentes. She was a sweet, kindhearted woman. My condolences go out to the family during this difficult time.
No words can describe how sorry I am for the loss of your Mother. Our hearts and prayers go out to you and the rest of the familia. God has added another Angel, your Mom in heaven to watch over your family. She will be missed dearly. In loving memory of your Mother. Love Christina Fuentes and family from across the miles
Our deepest condolences to family Fuentes elia will be missed elia will always be in my prayer she was a beautiful lady a good friend I'm margie lupita sister you all will be in my prayers and your daddy ???
Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services
Our sincere condolences.
The staff of Fred Dickey Funeral & Cremation Services.