Santa Dolores Villarreal, age 88, went home to be with Our Lord on January 25, 2025. She was born in Somerset, Texas in 1936 to Maria Contreras and Juan Ybanez. Santa was raised by her mom and stepfather, Pomposo Reyna, for whom she had great affection; countless times mentioning how gentle and kind he was. Santa grew up in San Antonio, Texas where she attended and graduated from Fox Tech High School in 1955. It was there where she met the love of her life, Samuel Villarreal. Santa and Sam were married in 1956 and were blessed with 64+ years of marriage before Sam's death in 2021. Together they raised five children: Armando (Frances), Richard (Sandra), Nathan (Irene), Cecilia (James), and Christina (David). She had 15 grandchildren and 23 great- grandchildren whom she loved and cared for until her death. Her home is filled with numerous photographs of her children, grandchildren, and great- grandchildren and she was constantly looking at these pictures, kissing them and praying for her family.

Santa had many gifts and talents. She was an excellent cook, and her family looked forward to every holiday meal. There were many happy memories created at her house when we gathered for celebrations and holidays. Santa was an excellent seamstress and even made her own patterns, having created many intricate folklorico costumes for her daughters; painstakingly sewing sequins and lace onto each one. She was an avid reader, and she instilled a love for reading in her children. Santa was an avid sports fan.  She loved watching baseball and college football on TV.  She was a good bowler and was in a ladies' league. Santa worked as a cook at St. Ann's School cafeteria and volunteered for many church and school functions. Santa was a scout leader for both Cub Scouts and Brownies. She was her children's and grandchildren's greatest cheerleader in every interest of ours: baseball, dancing, scouts, football, volleyball, art and academics. Her love and devotion to her family was unwavering.

Santa's greatest gift was her faith. She was a devout Catholic and taught her children to pray and cherish their faith. Santa and Sam sent all their children to Catholic schools, making many personal sacrifices to ensure they could afford to pay for this education. Her witness to her faith was an inspiration. There was never a crisis in her or her children's life that was not met with prayer, trust, and humility. She would always say, "Don't worry, the Lord provides." Her devotion to the Blessed Mother was constant. Even in her final years, Santa remembered the prayers of the rosary and prayed the rosary daily. In her final hours she was covered in prayer by her children and grandchildren and died lovingly surrounded by her family. May she rest in the Peace of Christ.