Mrs. Ida Saldivar's Obituary
Ida Mendiola Saldivar, 91, peacefully passed away on Sunday, March 5, 2017 surrounded by loved ones in her Manvel home. Born in Hebbronville, Texas on February 18, 1926, Ida first met the love of her life, Richard Saldivar, in grade school.
From a distance, while enlisted in the Marines, Richard courted Ida with elaborate love letters, always beginning with “Dearest darling” and signing off with “Love and kisses”. Richard reminded her from afar, “I have been thinking of you all day and that’s the way I count my days over here, hope I get home soon.” Ida wrote a letter to him every day for three years. Richard proposed to Ida in a letter before he returned to Texas. They were married on January 6, 1946.
Ida and Richard began their family, and the Saldivar home was a haven for the wealth of family and neighbors alike. Ida, the matriarch of the Saldivar family, spent countless hours demonstrating the joys of service and kindness throughout her life.
Ida and Richard spent much of their time at Saldivar Six Bar Ranch in Webb County, where Ida enjoyed recreation and found peace by her husband's side. She was a watch guard of her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren as they learned to fish, hunt, and work with diligence.
Ida was a devoted wife, and a loving mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother. She enjoyed cooking, watching football, and sewing. She was compassionate, kind, and filled with love. Above all else, she loved and cared deeply for her family, her six children and numerous grandchildren and great grandchildren.
Ida was preceded in death by husband Richard Saldivar, her parents Leopoldo and Dolores Mendiola, and siblings Celina Rivera and Daniel Mendiola.
She is survived by sisters Belda Mendiola and Ella Bedolla; and her children: Richard Saldivar and wife Mary, Delma Menard and husband David, Laura Clay and husband Bruce, Edward Saldivar and wife Patrice, Vanessa Saldivar Beacom and husband Terry, and Ernest Saldivar and wife Tina; 22 grandchildren; and 35 great-grandchildren.
Her Legacy of Love for God and her family will live on forever.
Family and friends are cordially invited to a visitation with the family from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. Sunday, March 12, in the Chapel of South Park Funeral Home, 1310 North Main in Pearland, with a rosary in Mrs. Saldivar's honor at 6:30 pm.
A Mass of Christian Burial is to be offered at 10:00 a.m. on Monday, March 13 at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, 6502 CR #48 in Manvel, Texas. The Rite of Committal is to follow, via an escorted cortege, at South Park Cemetery.
A celebration of her legacy will immediately follow at Sacred Heart of Jesus Catholic Church, parish hall.
In lieu of customary remembrances, contributions in Ida Saldivar's memory may be directed to the CHRISTUS Foundation for HealthCare—Healthy Living Mobile Clinics at P.O. Box 1919, Houston, TX, 77251-1919 or charity of your choice.
What’s your fondest memory of Ida?
What’s a lesson you learned from Ida?
Share a story where Ida's kindness touched your heart.
Describe a day with Ida you’ll never forget.
How did Ida make you smile?
