TITLE: In memory of Elizabeth Mendoza of San Antonio.

SUMMARY: In memory of Elizabeth Mendoza of San Antonio.

FULL TEXT:
WHEREAS, Countless lives were touched by the kindness and generosity of Elizabeth Mendoza of San Antonio, who passed away on December 16, 2014, at the age of 52; and WHEREAS, The daughter of Roger and Ora Roel, the former Elizabeth Roel was born in San Antonio on May 16, 1962; she graduated from Highlands High School in 1980, and on February 14 of the following year, she exchanged wedding vows with Raul Mendoza; the couple shared a rewarding marriage of nearly 35 years and became the parents of three children, Jason, Matthew, and Timothy; and WHEREAS, Ms. Mendoza worked in her parents' restaurant and ran her own small business before opening Highlands Cafe, which she operated alongside her brother, Ray; the diner drew many loyal customers from the community, and Ms. Mendoza and her sons developed a warm rapport with their neighbors while delivering care packages of food; eventually, she left the cafe and joined the staff of the Bonham Elementary School cafeteria; and WHEREAS, This cherished woman was a member of the Gold Star Mother's Association and the VFW Post No. 76 Marine Corps Committee; in 2008, after the tragic loss of one of her sons, USMC Sergeant Matthew Elias Mendoza, in Afghanistan, she reached out to help other marines and their families by volunteering with the Wounded Warrior Project at the San Antonio Military Medical Center; during the hours she spent there, she offered compassion and comfort to service members in the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, many of whom came to regard her as a second mother; and WHEREAS, While the life of Elizabeth Mendoza ended far too soon, those who were fortunate enough to know her will forever carry her memory close in their hearts; now, therefore, be it RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 84th Texas Legislature hereby pay tribute to the memory of Elizabeth Mendoza and extend sincere sympathy to the members of her family: to her husband, Raul Elias Mendoza; to her son, Timothy Lee Mendoza; to her grandchildren, Matthew I. Mendoza and Brooke Leann Mendoza; to her mother, Ora Roel; to her brother, Roger Roel; to her sisters, Belinda Peterson, Susie Rodriguez, and Ora Lee Roel; and to her other relatives and friends; and, be it further RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for her family and that when the Texas House of Representatives adjourns this day, it do so in memory of Elizabeth Mendoza. Martinez Fischer Speaker of the House I certify that H.R. No. 1317 was unanimously adopted by a rising vote of the House on April 9, 2015. Chief Clerk of the House