Minerva C. Loera's Obituary
A handful of days after her 98th birthday, Maria Minerva Cano Loera passed away at The Christopher House, in Austin, Texas, on February 24, 2024.
She was born on February 6, 1926, to Enedina and Concepcion Cano in San Antonio, Texas. Her siblings were Catalina and Cesar Cano, each of whom preceded her in death.
She was married (March 6, 1946) to Antonio Y. Loera, who passed away on February 1, 1996.
May they all rest, in peace.
She is survived by her four children (and their wives): Tony (Glenna), Cesar (Kathi), Victor (Beatriz), and David, 12 grandchildren, and numerous great grandchildren.
Before she married, Minnie attended school in South Texas, graduating from High School. She graduated Salutatorian. In her younger years, she worked as a projectionist at a movie house in Robstown, Texas. During the years of WW II, she, like many others of her era, followed troop movements across Europe on maps, placing pins on advancements.
She took an active part in her sons’ education, expecting that each one would do their best in school.
Minnie always had a keen interest in scientific and medical topics. In high school, she had applied for a course in Chemistry, and was told it was only for boys. She protested that decision and was subsequently enrolled. She had the honor of being the only girl in the class.
And she frequently baked cookies so the boys would have an afternoon treat after school.
Minnie took it upon herself to go to school as a paralegal and earned an associate degree. She studied hard and the younger classmates were in awe of her dedication in her 60s. She was a bookworm, never without a book even in the late stages of dementia so studying came naturally to her. She never had a loss for words in this regard and conversations with one of her grandsons always kept him delighted with “intelligent” conversations.
She and Tony opened a halfway house to help offenders find their way back as contributing members of society. Some of those offenders would often visit or call them and tell them how much their support helped them in life. One was a truck driver from up north and every time he came through, up until his death, never failed to visit them or call in between visits. He always thought of them as his adopted parents. She was awarded the Jefferson Award in 1977 for her volunteer work for outstanding public service.
As someone who experienced persistent, disappointing exclusion in her South Texas upbringing, she valued all grandchildren and their mothers. She made everyone feel welcome.
Over the years, she maintained correspondence with her brother and sister. Their letters reflected family life in the 1950’s. She and her sister had a strong bond and was very proud of and had a lifelong interest in the careers of her sister’s five children, who had been orphaned at a young life. They often visited her even after graduating from college & living their lives. They would call her and literally spend hours talking to her on the phone up until she had to go to a nursing home. Having been afflicted with dementia, Minnie was no longer able to take calls. She was ever proud of her brother's attainments in the military, his adventures; his children were never far from her thoughts, either.
Services for immediate family are pending.
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