Maria del Carmen Lopez

We celebrate the loving memory of Maria Del Carmen Lopez, 70, of Mission, Tx, who passed away on February 24, 2025, in Edinburg, Tx.  She was born on May 25th, 1954, in Eagle Pass, Tx, to Hector Faustino Dovalina and Maria Hortencia Dovalina.  Her family included brothers Hector Miguel, Jose Luis and Jesus Martin Dovalina.  They moved to New Mexico where she spent her elementary years.  Upon their return to Eagle Pass she worked to graduate from Eagle Pass Hight School in 1972.  Carmen’s educational journey started at Uvalde Junior College.  After completing her program in Uvalde, she earned her BS in Special Education with a minor in in English from Texas A&I University in Kingsville, TX.  

Carmen met Antonio Lopez Jr at A&I and they married in 1976.  They moved to San Isidro, Tx and worked as educators for San Isidro ISD.  She worked as the Special Education teacher for Elementary to Junior High levels.  

She filled her time by raising her young family, serving the church and community.  Her role as a choir director for the San Isidro Catholic Youth Choir and member of the San Isidro Parish Council Member brought her purpose and joy. 

She added to her educational accomplishments by returning to Pan American University to earn a master’s in education in 1987.  Her new efforts allowed her to move to Mission Tx and change her role from teacher to Educational Diagnostician at Sharyland ISD.  She diagnosed, counseled and mentored students and family members to provide educational support.  She trained and mentored coworkers in their roles as educational experts for all children.  She retired from Edinburg Consolidated ISD in 2013 and shifted her energy to grow her roles of ministry and Grandmother. 

In ministry at Holy Spirit Catholic Church, she volunteered as a Eucharistic Minister and Lector.  She completed her formation in memberships to the Secular Order of Discalced Carmelites (OCDS).  

As a loving wife, mother, grandmother, friend, and sister, she has guided us all with her deep faith to follow the Lord Jesus Christ. Her compassion was felt from anyone who was ever near her or got to know her. She cared for, took care of, and protected all because she loved everyone without any bounds. She lived her life as a great example to all of what it is to be a true Christian, and her light will continue to shine even after she is gone. 

She is survived by her husband Antonio Lopez Jr., Children: Aleida Marie Lopez Synder, Antonio Lopez III, Angela Monique Salazar, seven Grand Children:  Alessandra Monique Snyder, Anthony Gabriel Lopez, Gabrielle Marie Snyder, Annalise Deanne Salazar, Aiden Dion Lopez, Olivia Rose Snyder, Emily Christine Salazar and Sibling: Jesus Martin Dovalina.                                            

Visitation will be held from 3:00 pm to 9:00 pm on Thursday, February 27, 2025 with a Holy Rosary being recited at 7:00 pm at Rivera Funeral Home of McAllen. Celebration of Life Mass will be held at 10:00 am on Friday, February 28, 2025 at Holy Spirit Catholic Church in McAllen. Cremation arrangements have been entrusted to the care of Rivera Funeral Home of McAllen. 

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