Mercedes Medrano Fonseca, a cherished mother, grandmother, great-grandmother, and friend, peacefully passed away at her San Antonio home on September 28th, 2024, at the age of 85. Her life, deeply rooted in San Antonio, touched many as a neighbor and matriarch.
Born in San Antonio, TX, on February 9, 1939, Mercedes was a proud graduate of Ursuline Academy in this vibrant Texas city. She shared 33 years of marriage with Lazaro Fonseca, building a family and life together. Her professional journey began in civil service at Kelly Air Force Base, a significant San Antonio institution. Later, she transitioned to finance in downtown San Antonio, working diligently until the age of 74 when a broken ankle led to her well-deserved retirement.
Mercedes was known for her Catholic faith and her deeply caring nature. Standing at 5’1″, she was the strong and loving matriarch of her family, providing unconditional love, patience, support, and unwavering strength. She found joy in the simple connections with her San Antonio neighbors and was an avid listener of stories, particularly enjoying her daily novellas. Her infectious sense of humor and laughter were hallmarks of her personality. She had endearing quirks, like her specific coffee preferences and playful attempts to appear taller than she was. Mercedes adored her pets – four dogs and a cat – and found immense pleasure in feeding and observing the birds and squirrels in her neighborhood. The loss of her compassion, generosity, and delicious cooking is deeply felt by all who knew her.
Mercedes was predeceased by her parents, Alberto and Maria Alejandro Medrano, her daughter Diana Fonseca, and her grandson Julian Fonseca. She is lovingly remembered by her former husband, Lazaro Fonseca, her daughters Roxana Lozoya and Julia M. Fonseca-Flores, and Julia’s spouse Marti Fonseca-Flores. Her legacy continues through her grandchildren: Rosalinda Guadarrama and her spouse Mario Guadarrama Sr., along with their children, great-grandchildren Mario Guadarrama Jr and Matthew Guadarrama; and granddaughters Raquel Rother, Rikki Renee Lozoya, Mercedes Margarite Fonseca, and Isabel Juliet Fonseca.
A visitation to honor Mercedes will be held on Sunday, October 6, 2024, from 4:00pm to 8:00pm, with a Rosary service at 6:00 p.m. On Monday, October 7, 2024, family and friends will gather at Castillo Funeral Home at 8:00am before proceeding to a 9:00am mass at The Little Flower Basilica Catholic Church. The burial will follow at Mission Burial Park South, both cherished San Antonio locations.
For those wishing to express their sympathy, memorial trees can be planted in Mercedes M. Fonseca’s name through the Sympathy Store.
