Announcing the passing of Mrs. Amelia M. Leija, our loving and devoted mother, wife, and friend to all whose lives she touched, on August 21, 2021, at the age of 73. She has now gone home to be with God and watches us from above.
She was born in San Antonio Tx., on January 12, 1948, to parents Mr. & Mrs. Antonio and Flavia Menchaca. Molly to all those who knew her best was a genuine fun-loving kind person who treated everyone like family. She would give you her shirt off her back and give you her last dollar. She opened her home to anyone in need. She made everyone feel as they too were her son and daughters.
Her grandkids lovingly called her Momo. They were her pride and joy. When her grandkids were near, her eyes would sparkle, and her lips would smile, and her arms would embrace you. As a grandkid, you knew you could confide in her. She was there to listen without judgment and give you the best advice she could. She enjoyed cooking and her food was delicious so when you entered her home you knew you would be fed. During Christmas, her tamales were the best. For weddings and birthday parties her Mexican cookies would melt in your mouth. She also enjoyed sewing and crafting. She could sew anything from a wedding dress to baby clothes. Her imagination was endless when it came to crafting. It brought her joy to give them away as gifts. She loved to travel, gamble, and play bingo. She loved to sing and dance. There wasn’t a party she didn’t enjoy. She LOVED life. There were many trials and tribulations in her life that she overcame which shaped her into the beautiful person she was. She knew how important education was and received her GED in her 30’s. She held many jobs in different fields. She was a hard worker. The job she loved the most was working side by side with her mom in a restaurant kitchen. She also enjoyed working as a CNA taking care of the elderly.
She was married for 45 years to Sgt. First Class, Adan C. Leija and traveled the world living the Military life. She had five beautiful girls that she loved with all her heart. Family is what she LIVED for.
Amelia was preceded in death by her parents, Mr. & Mrs. Antonio & Flavia Menchaca, and all her brothers and sisters.
Amelia is survived by her husband Sgt. First Class, Adan C. Leija; daughters, Diana Strange & husband Eddie, Noelia Cardenas, Corinna Mendoza & husband Nelson, Lily & husband Eric, and Naomi Leija; grandkids, Briana, Matthew, Desirae, Ryan, Joshua, Gina, Christina, Crystal, Reymundo, Enrique, Xena, Antonio, Preston; great grandkids, Alexia, Landon, Angelica, Alex, Noah, Serenity, Alana, Audrey; Great-great grandkid, Marciano.
She was a firm believer in protecting yourself and others around you.
Wear a mask.
Get vaccinated.
Respect your fellow man.
Save a life.
A visitation will be Tuesday, August 24, 2021, from 5pm-9pm with a rosary to be recited at 7pm at Hurley Funeral Home in Lytle, Texas. A mass will be celebrated on Wednesday, August 25, 2021, at 10am, at St. Andrew Catholic Church in Lytle, Texas. A graveside service will be on Thursday, August 26, 2021, at 9:30am at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas. If you wish to share a memory or offer a word of condolences to the family, you may do so by visiting www.hurleyfuneralhome.com. Arrangements are under the direction of Hurley Funeral Home in Lytle, Texas. Per the family’s request they ask that masks must be worn during all services and practice social distancing please.