Ofelia Valdez

Castaneda

Ofelia Valdez Castañeda, of Harlingen, Texas, entered into eternal rest on January 10, 2021 at the age of 89. She was born on September 22, 1931 in the state of Tamaulipas, Mexico, the oldest daughter among nine children whom she helped to raise. She married Albert O. Castañeda and raised four children of her own. She and Albert were married for 49 years until his death.
Ofelia dedicated her life to raising her children and was very involved in their school lives, making cookies and cupcakes for classroom parties and helping out where she could at school fall festivals. She also dedicated time as a volunteer for the HOSTS program for over twenty-five years, helping struggling readers with their reading skills. Her hobbies included gardening, baking, sewing, and many types of crafts. She was known for making many custom quinceñeara, bridesmaid and prom dresses for many special occasions. You could bring her any garment and she could replicate it without a pattern.
She was an active participant in her church throughout her life. She had unwavering faith, strong opinions and steadfast ideas and had a toughness and energy to her that especially drove her children crazy during their teenage years. She often expressed that happiness requires a perspective of appreciating what you have and understanding the richness in your life as it is and where it is; she was truly someone who counted her blessings. She will be dearly missed.
She is preceded in death by her parents Ismael and Beatriz Valdez; her husband Albert Castañeda Sr., brothers, Ismael ("Chacho") Valdez Jr., David Valdez, Guadalupe ("Moro") Valdez, Juan Valdez, and Ildefonso ("Poncho") Valdez; and her sister, Amparo ("Pallo") Martinez.
She is survived by her brother Erdulfo ("Dul") Valdez and Narcissa ("Narcy") Martinez, sons Albert Castañeda, Javier (Alexis) Castañeda, Orlando (Mary) Castañeda; daughter Sonia Castañeda; nine grandchildren, and thirteen great grandchildren whom she adored.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic the funeral will be private. Please be safe, stay home, and include her in your prayers.
If you wish to attend a virtual prayer service of the Holy Rosary, one will be livestreamed on January 14, 2021 at 6 p.m. on Facebook/TrinityFuneralHomes or www.trinityfunerals.com. If you are unable to connect, please pray the Holy Rosary for her at this same time.