Lydia Zulema Saenz

Obituary - Lydia Zulema Saenz

Our beloved mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Lydia Zulema Saenz passed away and got her wings on January 17, 2025, in McAllen, Texas. She was 93 years old. She was born on April 17, 1931, in Rio Grande City, Texas, to Jesus Maria Rodriguez and Antonio Olivarez Rodriguez. Lydia is survived by her sons Armando Mauro Saenz, Jr., and Ruben Dario Saenz (Ana), and daughters Sylvia S. Martinez (Fred †), Sonia S. Brown (Oscar), Selenia S. Williamson (George †), Monica Salinas (Steve), Daughter-in-law Elizabeth Saenz (Joel †), and eighteen grandchildren, thirty-nine great grandchildren, and one great-great granddaughter. She is also survived by one sister Socorro Pedraza. She was preceded in death by her husband Armando Mauro Saenz, her son Joel Jaime Saenz, and her parents Jesus Maria and Antonia O. Rodriguez, her siblings Jesus Maria Rodriguez, Jr., Jaime Rodriguez, Margarita Guerra, and Alicia Rodriguez. Lydia, also known as Chule, married Armando when she was only sixteen years old. She devoted her life to her family and left many treasured memories for them to cherish. Lydia’s favorite holiday was Easter, and she was known for her beautiful Easter eggs (cascarones) she colored by hand year-round which her children still treasure today. She was very creative and talented, enjoyed sewing and crocheting, making many blankets and booties for family members. She also had a green thumb caring for her roses and plants of all kinds. Her favorite pastime was playing bingo (Chalupa) with her children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Besides her home, her other favorite place to be with her husband, Armando, was at the family ranch in Medanitos. She was the heart and soul of our family, and she will be dearly missed. 

Rio Grande City ~ Lydia Zulema Saenz, 93, died Friday, January 17, 2025, at her residence in Mcallen, TX. Funeral arrangements will be under the direction of Sanchez Funeral Home in Rio Grande City, TX.