Alicia Escamilla Cruz, 88, widow of Roberto Cruz, died on Saturday, March 4, 2023, in Main Methodist Hospital, San Antonio, Texas. She was born on July 11, 1934, in La Plazuela, Santiago, Nuevo Leon, a daughter of the late, Petra Salazar Almaguer and Jesús Escamilla Almaguer.

Alicia was born the fourth of ten siblings and would often reminisce and share stories from her childhood and youth. "Fue una buena niñez," she would say as she recalled her upbringing in México. A time that laid a foundation for the way she would lead her extraordinary life. She worked as a seamstress at the Medalla Company in Monterrey before she was married. Alicia married Roberto Cruz on February 28, 1965, and together shared a special love and unbreakable bond that would last for 40 years until his passing. Together, they moved to Gary, Indiana, where their two daughters, Alma and Sonia were born. The family would later move to East Chicago, Indiana where she made lifelong friends and enrolled in a craft class. In 1975 Alicia and Roberto moved and settled in San Antonio, Texas to be closer to family, and on March 15, 1979, Alicia became an official United States citizen.

Regardless of where they lived, Alicia made sure to turn their house into a home. Alicia always kept her home spotless and organized; taking pride in knowing she could provide a place for those she loved to come and feel comfortable surrounded by that special warmth a mother and grandmother can only provide. She loved her family and always made sure she had a home that reflected that love and care. As her daughters grew up and were in junior high and high school, Alicia took work as a seamstress at Finesilver Manufacturing Company in San Antonio, Texas. In addition to maintaining her role as the family matriarch.

Alicia lived a servant's life faithful to the Lord as she would give her time and skills to her community and church. She served as room mother at Huppertz Elementary and Holy
Rosary Catholic School. Could always be counted on to be an active volunteer at school festivals at Holy Rosary and Providence High School. She enjoyed baking and cooking, making the best tamales, menudo, empanadas, and buñuelos. She found immense satisfaction in creating her famous dishes and treats and sharing them with relatives and friends. Alicia was creative and talented in sewing, knitting, crocheting, and embroidery. She really could do it all. Clothing, curtains, and bedspreads are some of the many items she crafted that will be treasured forever. Her creativity was unmatched, and memories of the costumes made for her daughters during Halloween or the special Easter baskets are all treasured times that will be remembered forever. Holidays were special times for Alicia, who loved to decorate her home for each occasion. Alicia loved doing projects around the home. She would often be found painting walls, bricks for her garden, and flowerpots for her numerous plants. In her free time, she liked to watch traveling shows to learn about other cultures or cooking shows to learn new recipes.

Alicia found the simple pleasures of life most fulfilling; tending to her garden, caring for her plants and flowers, spending time with those she loved, always the first to babysit, making someone smile, and feeling hopeful for the future of those she held dear. She was a generous woman with her time, compassion, support, and encouragement. Remembered always as an active woman even into her final years full of love and warmth, who will be remembered forever by those who knew her. Until we meet again, descanse en paz.

In addition to her husband, Roberto Cruz who died on August 7, 2005, and her parents, Petra Salazar Almaguer and Jesús Escamilla Almaguer, she was also preceded in death by her brother, Jesús María Escamilla Salazar; and sisters, Juana Escamilla Viezca, María Isabel Escamilla Rodriguez, María Guadalupe Escamilla Vega, and María Dolores Escamilla Salazar

Family members include two daughters Alma Alicia Cruz Gonzáles (George S. Gonzáles) of Kerrville,Texas and Sonia Guadalupe Cruz-García (José Louis García) of San Antonio, Texas; grandchildren, Karina Alicia Gonzáles- Storey (Jeremiah J. Storey), Kristen Ylana Gonzáles, Jorge Cristian Gonzáles, Gisele Bella Cruz- García, Génesis Alisa Cruz-García, and Giana Sofía Cruz- García; one great-grandchild, Luke Storey; siblings, Evangelina Escamilla López, Hector Escamilla Salazar (Gloria), Edelmiro Escamilla Salazar (María), and Eralia Escamilla Alanis; in addition to numerous extended family and friends.

The family will receive guests from 4:00 pm to 8:00 pm Monday, March 20, 2023, at Castillo Funeral Home for Visitation and a 6:00 pm Rosary Service.

A funeral mass will be conducted on Tuesday, March 21, 2023, at 11:00 am in St. Jude Catholic Church. A committal service will follow at 1:00 pm in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.